PROVIDENCE – A federal grand jury in Providence has returned indictments charging two women in related cases with child pornography charges.

The grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Samantha York, 31, of Newport, with two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of distribution of child pornography. The grand jury returned a single-count indictment charging Karissa C. Cave, 23, of Newport, with receipt of child pornography.

According to information presented to the Court, in December 2016, Woonsocket Police discovered a video depicting child pornography on the cell phone of an individual they were investigating for allegedly attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. It is alleged that the video was created and shared by Samantha York. It is alleged that sometime later that same video was shared with Karissa Cave by someone other than York.

An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Sexual Exploitation of a minor is punishable by statutory penalties of 15-30 years imprisonment and a term of 5 years to lifetime supervised release. Distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography are punishable by statutory penalties of 5-20 years in prison and 5 years to lifetime supervised release.

The matter was investigated by the Woonsocket Police Department, Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations.

 The cases are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.

United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, who announced the indictments along with Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni, and Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Molina, thanks the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General for their assistance.

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PROVIDENCE, RI – Two women have made initial appearances in U.S. District Court in Providence on child pornography charges.

 

Samantha York, 29, of Warwick and Pawtucket, has been ordered detained in federal custody on a criminal complaint charging her with production and distribution of child pornography.  York made an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on November 9, 2017, charged with one count each of production of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.

 

According to information presented to the Court, it is alleged that in March 2014, York produced a video depicting child pornography involving a female toddler. It is alleged that the video was distributed to at least two other individuals.

 

In a separate federal criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court, Karissa A. Cave, 21, of Coventry and Newport, is charged with one count each of receiving child pornography and possession of child pornography.  Cave was released on $10,000 unsecured bond following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond on November 9, 2017.

 

According to information presented to the Court, it is alleged that Cave received and possessed child pornography involving a female toddler allegedly produced and distributed by Samantha York.

 

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch, Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, Michael S. Shea, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for New England, and Woonsocket Police Chief Thomas Oates announce the filing of federal criminal complaints in these matters.

These matters continue to be investigated by the the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Woonsocket Police Department.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch acknowledges and thanks the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General for their ongoing assistance investigating these matters.

 

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