Registered Sex Offender Charged with Distributing and Possessing Child Pornography

PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender convicted in Rhode Island state court in 2014 for possessing child pornography was arrested today by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing and possessing child pornography.

Thomas Andreozzi, 59, of North Providence, was arrested at his home moments after he rushed into his residence in an alleged attempt to avoid members of the ICAC Task Force.

According to court documents, it is alleged that in May 2020, Andreozzi uploaded images depicting child pornography while communicating with a person online. It is alleged that Andreozzi also boasted, “I have lots of young stuff” and “I have little girls.”

As members of the ICAC Task Force approached Andreozzi’s residence today to execute a court-authorized search of his home, Andreozzi allegedly fled inside his apartment and refused law enforcement commands to open the door. After forcing their way into Andreozzi’s apartment, agents and officers immediately seized a cell phone from Andreozzi’s hand and another on a nearby table. It is alleged that the phone in Andreozzi’s hand was opened to an online electronic media storage service. Numerous files of child pornography were allegedly observed by law enforcement.

Andreozzi appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distribution of child pornography and possession and accessing child pornography with intent to view. He was released to home confinement with GPS monitoring, and ordered not to access the internet and to have no contact with children.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Distribution of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of 15-30 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release. Possession and accessing child pornography with intent to view is punishable by statutory penalties of 10-20 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release.

Andreozzi’s arrest and initial appearance is announced by United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael S. Shea.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.

The Rhode Island ICAC Task Force is comprised of members of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit along with detectives from the Warwick Police Department, Cranston Police Department, Newport Police Department, East Providence Police Department, Pawtucket Police Department, Bristol Police Department, North Kingstown Police Department, Woonsocket Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.

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