Brazilian National Arrested on Child Pornography Charges in Massachusetts

A Brazilian national residing in Whitman was arrested on Friday, July 30, 2021, on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.

Walace Lima, 40, was indicted on one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Following an initial appearance before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell, Lima was detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for this afternoon.

According to the charging document, Lima possessed child pornography on or about Dec. 16, 2020, and distributed child pornography on various dates between Oct. 5 and Nov. 24, 2020.

The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell and Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of Mendell’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The details contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.