PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Sean Keener, 26, of Warwick, R.I., was ordered detained by U.S. District Court Magistrate Lincoln D. Almond today following an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha, Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Warwick Police Chief Colonel Stephen M. McCartney.
According to anwhich charges Keener with one count each of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography, a thumb drive was seized by HSI agents in Boston in June which allegedly contained photographs depicting child pornography and, among other information, an email address allegedly belonging to Keener. Among the sexually explicit photographs was that of a prepubescent child believed to be a 7-year-old girl from Rhode Island. HSI agents also linked the email address to an account on a Russian website where they discovered a folder allegedly created by Keener which contained several pictures of the same child.
According to the affidavit, based on an examination of Internet and cell phone company records, a social media website and information developed by Warwick Police, Keener’s residence and the identity of the 7-year-old child from Rhode Island who was depicted in the photographs was determined. A court authorized search of a Warwick residence where Keener was staying by HSI agents and Warwick Police resulted in the seizure of a computer allegedly belonging to Keener and which allegedly contained more than 600 images and videos, many of which depicted minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Distribution of child pornography is punishable by a statutory penalty of between 5 and 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. Possession of child pornography is punishable by a statutory penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.
To assist the media and the public, a glossary of federal judicial terms and procedures is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/justice101/
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
