Previously convicted Massachusetts sex offender sentenced to prison on new charges where he used social media to prey on minor

BOSTON – A Massachusetts man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court for receiving child pornography. The defendant used Facebook messenger to communicate with a minor in the Philippines and receive pornographic images of the child.

Charles Fox, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 20 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. On Nov. 22, 2021, Fox pleaded guilty to two counts of receipt of child pornography.

“Mr. Fox exploited a helpless child on the other side of the world, robbing them of their innocence,” said United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins. “He engaged in this repugnant behavior while he was a registered sex offender. Protecting children from predators like Mr. Fox and securing Justice and accountability for vulnerable victims is one of my top priorities. Those who seek to sexualize and exploit children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Fox preyed upon a child, using common social media channels to seek out a vulnerable victim and exploit them,” said Matthew Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge for the Homeland Security Investigations New England Field Office. “Child exploitation is among the most heinous crimes we investigate and HSI is totally committed to working with our partners to find predators like Fox and work for justice for their victims.”

Fox induced a minor in the Philippines to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing images of that conduct. Specifically, Fox used Facebook messenger to communicate with the minor and to receive the pornographic images. In exchange for the images, Fox sent Western Union payments to the Philippines.

Fox, who resides in Greenfield, is a registered sex offender for a 2010 conviction of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years of age.

U.S. Attorney Rollins and HSI SAC Millhollin made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine G. Curley of Rollins’ Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.