Massachusetts child pornography trader arrested, charged

BOSTON — A Massachusetts man was indicted Thursday for receiving and possessing child pornography after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led investigation. 

Kenneth Howell, 49, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint in May 2015.

Howell first caught the attention of HSI special agents in April 2015 when they saw chat messages between him and another person that indicated Howell was paying to view sex acts performed by minors in the Philippines over the Internet.

A search warrant was executed in May 2015 at Howell’s home during which time Howell admitted that he downloaded, saved and distributed child pornography, and that he had been trading images of child pornography for four to five years. A preliminary review of Howell’s computer revealed more than 100 videos of child pornography.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum term of five years and no greater than 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for no greater than 20 years in prison. Both statutes provide for a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistance in the investigation was also provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Acton Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eve A. Piemonte of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.