Pawtucket Man Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing More Than 800 Child Sexual Abuse Images and Videos
A Pawtucket, Rhode Island man who admitted to possessing hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was sentenced on October 27 in federal court in Providence to 42 months in federal prison, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island announced. U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose imposed the sentence on William Dickson, 65, who had pleaded guilty on March 27, 2026.
According to court documents, investigators identified a peer-to-peer file-sharing account used by Dickson to download and share CSAM. On April 10, 2024, federal agents executed search warrants at Dickson's residence, on his person, and on his vehicle, seizing multiple electronic devices. A forensic review revealed over 800 images and videos depicting CSAM.
"The possession and exchange of child sexual abuse material fuels the continued exploitation of vulnerable children," said First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Division, said those who collect such material drive demand, meaning more children will be exploited, and that the FBI and its partners remain committed to protecting vulnerable children from further harm.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White and investigated by the FBI, was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：罗得岛州 Providence 市中心，本案在该市联邦法院判刑。照片：Kenneth Zirkel，CC BY-SA 4.0，经维基共享资源。 / Downtown Providence, Rhode Island, where the sentence was imposed in federal court. Photo: Kenneth Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
