Source: US FBI
PROVIDENCE – A Coventry man has admitted that, while on pre-trial release on a child pornography charge, he exploited a minor while producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Scott P. Hickey, 46, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges of possession and access with intent to view child pornography, exploitation of a minor, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
According to information presented to the court, in June 2019, Hickey was charged by way of indictment with possession and access with intent to view child pornography after law enforcement discovered 164 images of CSAM on his cellphone.
In 2023, while awaiting trial in that matter, Hickey exploited a minor female multiple times while live streaming and/or recording sexually explicit activity. Hickey was arrested on July 27, 2023. A forensic audit of his cellphone revealed at least 572 images of CSAM.
Hickey is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23, 2025. The sentences imposed will be determined by a federal district judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.
The matters were investigated by FBI agents assigned to field offices in Providence, RI, and Washington, DC.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc
To report suspected online child sexual exploitation and/or abuse, call the Know2Protect Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or visit the NCMEC CyberTipline® at https://report.cybertip.org/
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