A Pawtucket man was sentenced on Mar. 23 to 15 years in federal prison for possession and distribution of child pornography, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.
The sentencing underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating crimes involving the exploitation of children online. Gary Ethier, age 60, will also serve ten years of supervised release following his prison term. He had previously pleaded guilty on December 1, 2025.
“Individuals who distribute child sexual abuse material play a direct role in the ongoing abuse and exploitation of children,” said United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “This 15-year sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes and sends a clear message that these offenses will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.”
Court documents show that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center first learned in November 2024 that Ethier was communicating online about the sexual exploitation of minors and had sent multiple images depicting child pornography to another individual. On December 2, law enforcement officers from HSI and the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force searched Ethier’s home, where they found more than 600 images of child pornography on his electronic devices.
Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol said, “This case emerged as a cyber lead from the depths of the internet and uncovered a dangerous and depraved individual living right here in Rhode Island. After a meticulous investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and our partners at the Rhode Island State Police, Gary Ethier is now facing a lengthy federal sentence.” Krol added: “We remain committed to protecting children and holding predators like Ethier accountable for their crimes.”
Assistant United States Attorney Peter I. Roklan prosecuted the case following investigations conducted by HSI and the Rhode Island ICAC Task Force.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordination among federal, state, and local agencies.
