BOSTON - Kevin Cawley, Jr., 34, of Abington, Mass., pleaded guilty yesterday to possession and distribution of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Dennis Saylor, IV scheduled sentencing for Aug. 12, 2015.
In September 2013, Cawley exchanged emails containing images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Cawley used his email accounts to search for child pornography and to correspond with others he met online who were interested in child pornography. Cawley’s child pornography collection included images and videos of prepubescent children engaged in sexual activity.
In August 2014, a search warrant was executed at Cawley’s residence. At that time, Cawley admitted to federal agents that he registered one of his email addresses using the fictitious name of “Stephen Burrus," a name he obtained through the use of a name generator, because he knew his conduct was wrong. He also admitted to downloading child pornography, saving it to his computer, and sending it to others.
The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum term of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for no greater than 20 years in prison. Both statutes provide for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. If accepted by the Court, under the plea agreement negotiated by the parties, Cawley will serve five years in prison and five years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Bruce M. Foucart, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Assistance was also provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Abington Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eve A. Piemonte of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
