Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced For Viewing Child Pornography While On Supervised Release

Tampa, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich has sentenced Charles Ruggiero (37, Tampa) to five years in federal prison for accessing an electronic device with the intent to view child pornography. Ruggiero had pleaded guilty on August 9, 2017.

According to court documents, in August 2016, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Tampa received two Cyber Tipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report stated that an individual, later determined to be Ruggiero, used a web-based communications platform to upload two voice recordings discussing engaging in sexually explicit conduct with his 11-year-old sister. HSI agents learned that Ruggiero is a convicted sex offender and, at the time of this offense, was also on federal supervised release for transporting and shipping child pornography.

HSI agents contacted Ruggiero’s probation officer and confirmed that the cellphone number that Ruggiero had provided to his probation officer was the same number that had been reported to NCMEC. Ruggiero admitted that he had been viewing child pornography on his girlfriend’s computer and cellphone for several months. A forensic analysis of the computer and cellphone revealed approximately 200 images depicting child pornography, including young children, and numerous internet search terms consistent with child exploitative material.

“This criminal continued to re-victimize young children by viewing images of child pornography,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero. “Now, thanks to our HSI Tampa special agents, he will be punished for his crimes.”

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.