Two local women indicted on child pornography charges

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.

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.