Kerry Adams, 59, was indicted on one count each of receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. Adams was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in Oct. 17, 2018, and has been in federal custody since that time.
According to court documents, a federal search warrant was executed on Oct. 17, 2019 at Adamss residence in Provincetown were multiple devices, including laptops, thumb drives and SD cards were located. During an initial on-scene forensic review of a laptop, hundreds of files in the computers peer-to-peer software program were located. At least a dozen of these files were found to contain child pornography, and three of the files contained videos depicting pre-pubescent boys engaging in sexual acts. These same three files had been previously downloaded from Adamss IP address using the peer-to-peer software program to a law enforcement investigative computer. During a consensual interview, it is alleged that Adams initially denied that there would be pornography of 10-14 year-old-boys on his computer, but later admitted that 13-15 year-old-boys were once of sexual interest to him, but are not anymore.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
The charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography each provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. The charging of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. All three offenses carry a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Stephen Marks, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Secret Service in Boston; and Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Provincetown Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of Lellings Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
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 DOJs Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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/.
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.
-- District of Massachusetts
Source: U.S. Secret Service