Registered sex offender arrested on child pornography charges

PROVIDENCE – A registered sex offender convicted in Rhode Island state court in 2014 for possessing child pornography was arrested Wednesday by members of the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distributing and possessing child pornography.

Thomas Andreozzi, 59, of North Providence, was arrested at his home moments after he rushed into his residence in an alleged attempt to avoid members of the ICAC Task Force.

According to court documents, it is alleged that in May 2020, Andreozzi uploaded images depicting child pornography while communicating with a person online. It is alleged that Andreozzi also boasted, “I have lots of young stuff” and “I have little girls.”

As members of the ICAC Task Force approached Andreozzi’s residence today to execute a court-authorized search of his home, Andreozzi allegedly fled inside his apartment and refused law enforcement commands to open the door. After forcing their way into Andreozzi’s apartment, agents and officers immediately seized a cell phone from Andreozzi’s hand and another on a nearby table. It is alleged that the phone in Andreozzi’s hand was opened to an online electronic media storage service. Numerous files of child pornography were allegedly observed by law enforcement.

Andreozzi appeared before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a federal criminal complaint charging him with distribution of child pornography and possession and accessing child pornography with intent to view. He was released to home confinement with GPS monitoring, and ordered not to access the internet and to have no contact with children.

Distribution of child pornography is punishable by statutory penalties of 15-30 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release. Possession and accessing child pornography with intent to view is punishable by statutory penalties of 10-20 years imprisonment to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release.