Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Fitchburg resident, Sean Pettigrew, aged 50, has been arrested and charged with distributing child sexual abuse material through the messaging app Kik Messenger. The charge against Pettigrew is one count of distribution of child pornography. Following his arrest, he was ordered to be detained until a hearing scheduled for July 18, 2025, in Worcester's federal court.
According to the charging document from April 2025, Pettigrew was identified as a participant in a Kik Messenger group focused on the sexual abuse of children. It is alleged that he sent multiple images depicting child sexual abuse material to an undercover agent who was posing as a member of the chat group. A search of Pettigrew’s Kik account reportedly revealed he had sent several such files to other users.
The public is encouraged to reach out with questions or information related to this case by calling 617-748-3274.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and could result in up to 20 years in prison. Additionally, it includes at least five years and potentially a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett from the Worcester Branch Office is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program leverages federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims.
All details in the charging document are allegations at this stage; Pettigrew is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
