U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Anthony John Crowley has been charged with possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

According to court documents, Anthony John Crowley, 52, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, did knowingly possess one or more matters which contained visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

“In recent months, we have seen a rash of agents, officers, and public officials engaging in crimes against children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Let there be no misunderstanding:  the U.S. Attorney’s Office has zero tolerance for people in positions of trust and authority who abuse children.  Zero.”

“All U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees are required and expected to abide by the laws they enforce.  CBP stresses professionalism, honor, and integrity in every aspect of CBP’s mission,” stated Elizabeth Cervantes, acting Executive Director of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Investigative Operations.  “CBP OPR is committed to hold anyone accountable who betrays the public’s trust, while supporting the men and women who proudly uphold their duties to serve and protect.”

“When those who take an oath to uphold the law become the ones who break it in the most egregious way, it erodes the public’s faith in our institutions,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “We are seeing a troubling pattern — multiple arrests in recent months involving individuals in positions of authority charged with exploiting children. Let one thing be clear: position and power will not shield you from accountability. If you harm a child, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will find you. And no matter who you are, we will bring you to justice.”

Crowley made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster, and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the US Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for their investigation and hard work on this case. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca E. Kline is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.