City man sentenced on child porn charges

WOONSOCKET - Jose Marquez Escarcega, 29, a city resident, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court, Providence, to 60 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

Chief Judge William E. Smith also ordered Escarcega to serve 20 years’ supervised release upon completion of his term of incarceration.

Escarcega pleaded guilty on Oct. 31, 2016, to one count of possession of child pornography following his 2015 indictment.

According to information presented to the court, in July 2014, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that someone at Escarcega’s residence downloaded child pornography. Based on information developed during a subsequent investigation by the ICAC Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations, a court authorized search was executed at Escarcega’s residence on Oct. 2, 2014.

A forensic analysis of a computer owned by Escarcega and seized by investigators revealed approximately 450 images and 40 videos of child pornography.

Also, investigators recovered evidence that Escarcega had contacted and paid an individual in the Philippines to provide him with a live video feed as a prepubescent female was molested.

Escarcega’s sentence was jointly announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Rhode Island State Police Superintendent Ann C Assumpico; and Matthew J. Etre, HSI special agent in charge of New England. Assistant U.S. Attorney Terrence P. Donnelly prosecuted the case.