BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.
BOSTON – A federal grand jury in Boston indicted a Marstons Mills man today on charges of distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography.
Steven Carme, 30, was indicted on one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age. Earlier this month, Carme was arrested and charged by criminal complaint and released on conditions.
According to the charging documents, on Feb. 5, 2019, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Carme’s residence, where they seized a laptop computer, an external hard drive, and an iPhone X. An onsite forensic review of the external hard drive revealed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography.
The charges of distribution and receipt of child pornography each provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison. Each charge also provides for a mandatory 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 on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Barnstable Police Chief Matthew Sonnabend made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of Lelling’s 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 DOJ’s 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 indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
