A Pawtucket resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, according to an announcement from Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Gary Ethier, 60, admitted to distributing and possessing child pornography. His sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2026. The sentence will be determined by a federal district judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Court documents state that in November 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center received information indicating that Ethier was engaged in online discussions about the sexual exploitation of minors and had sent multiple images of child pornography to another individual. On December 2, 2024, HSI agents and members of the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force searched Ethier’s home. During the search, law enforcement found more than 600 images depicting child pornography on his electronic devices.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter Roklan is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by HSI and the ICAC Task Force.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to locate offenders and assist victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc
Suspected cases of online child sexual exploitation or abuse can be reported through the Know2Project Tipline at 1-833-591-KNOW (5669) or via the NCMEC CyberTipline at https://report.cybertip.org/