PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal grand jury in Providence today returned a four-count indictment charging Jordan Monroe, 50, of Warwick, R.I., with producing, receiving and possessing child pornography. Monroe was arrested on May 13, 2016, after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents allegedly discovered tens of thousands of file folders containing images and videos of child pornography on computers seized from Monroe’s residence.
The indictment, announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of HSI for New England, charges Monroe with one count of coercing and using a minor to produce child pornography, two counts of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.
As part of an ongoing investigation nationally, HSI’s Cyber Crimes Center Child Exploitations Unit and the Department of Justice, Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, High Technology Investigative Unit has identified Internet billboards used for posting, sharing and viewing child pornography. It is alleged that numerous IP addresses in the United States and outside the country have been identified as sharing and viewing child pornography on the billboards. It is alleged that one such IP address was identified as belonging to a person who resides at Monroe’s residence.
According to court records, during the execution of a court authorized search warrant at Monroe’s residence on May 13, 2016, HSI agents, assisted by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Warwick Police Department, seized six computers, three which acted as servers. A forensic review of the contents of the computers has, to date, revealed tens of thousands of files which allegedly contain images and videos of child pornography. It is alleged that some of the images and videos were produced by Monroe.
An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Monroe has been detained in federal custody since his arrest on May 13, 2016.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams.
The FBI is assisting HSI in the investigation of this matter.
###
Contact:
Jim Martin (401) 709-5357
email: USARI.Media@usdoj.gov
on Twitter @USAO_RI