Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
A Brookline resident, Ariel Torres, 37, has been arrested and charged with one count of possession of child pornography. The arrest took place following an investigation that identified Torres as a user of an online network involved in the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Authorities conducted a search at Torres’ home in May 2025, seizing multiple electronic devices. According to court documents, investigators found about 49 images and 37 videos depicting CSAM on two of these devices.
Torres was taken into custody and appeared before a federal court in Boston. He is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for November 25, 2025.
If convicted, Torres faces up to 20 years in prison, with supervised release ranging from five years to life, and a possible fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England announced the arrest. They acknowledged assistance from the Brookline and Lawrence Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus is prosecuting the case.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
"The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
