Bristol Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Child Pornography Charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Mathew S. Antignano, 31, of Bristol, faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 30 years in federal prison when he is sentenced in June following his guilty plea in federal court in Providence today to one count each of possessing child pornography and distributing child pornography, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Colonel Steven G. O’DonnellSuperintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, and Coventry Police Chief Bryan J. Volpe.

According to information presented to the court, Antignano was arrested in July 2014 following an investigation by the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force which determined that Antignano had downloaded and shared numerous files of child pornography.

According to information presented to the court, a Coventry Police Department detective assigned to the ICAC task force was investigating activity on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network when he detected an IP address used by Antignano sharing files of child pornography. Based on information developed by the Coventry Police detective and other members of the ICAC task force, a search warrant was issued and executed at Antignano’s residence. The search resulted in the seizure of a laptop computer, tablet and digital storage devices. A forensic examination of the electronic equipment seized resulted in the discovery of approximately 7,750 images and 180 videos depicting child pornography.

Antignano, who was arrested on July 27, 2014, and who is presently detained in federal custody, is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge John J. McConnell, Jr., on June 30, 2015. Distribution of child pornography is punishable by a statutory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and up to life; possession of child pornography is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and up to life.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.

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