Press Release
Providence Resident Admits to Possessing Child Pornography
For Immediate Release
District of Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE – David A. Skally, 57, of Providence, pleaded guilty in federal court in Providence on Tuesday to possession & access with the intent to view child pornography, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha; Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for New England; and Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.
According to information presented to the court, in September 2015, the HSI Child Exploitation Unit became involved in an ongoing child pornography investigation into multiple individuals, believed to be residing across the United States as well as abroad, who are members of an Internet-based bulletin board. Users of the bulletin board were provided a link to a file sharing site from which child pornography could be accessed, viewed and downloaded.
In January 2016 and March 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued orders directing the file sharing site to disclose certain records and other information relating to a list of unique links that contained child pornography files. In response to that order, the file sharing site produced business records which included information connected to the downloading of the child pornography files. These records showed, among other things, that child pornography, including sexually explicit images of prepubescent girls, were downloaded using an IP address associated with the Skally’s Providence residence.
A court authorized search of the defendant’s computers at his residence in June 2016 by members of HSI and the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force resulted in the discovery of child pornography. A further forensic examination of the computers resulted in the discovery of approximately 284 videos and 418 images of child pornography.
Skally, who was released to home confinement following his guilty plea on Tuesday, is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge William E. Smith on March 9, 2017.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
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Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: USARI.Media@usdoj.gov
on Twitter @USAO_RI
Updated December 22, 2016
Topic
Project Safe Childhood
Component