Katie 
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
Providence, Rhode Island: The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island announced the arrest of 41-year-old Jeremy P. Barton on federal charges related to the production, distribution and possession of child pornography yesterday, Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
In 2019 Barton was sentenced for two counts of second-degree sexual assault which took place in June 2015, after he plead no contest to the charges. Barton was sentenced to seven years in prison total, with five of those years suspended, and five years of probation. The remaining two year sentences per count were to be served concurrently.
According to the information released, an undercover member of the Tennessee Federal Bureau of Investigations made direct contact with members of an online community where users were observed trading and downloading content determined to depict child sexual abuse.
According to the charging documents, it is alleged that while communicating with the FBI agent, Barton discussed online interactions that he had with two boys. One was known to be 12-years-old and the other was suspected to be 13 or 14-years-old. Barton is said to have convinced each of the boys to provide him with a sexually explicit video of themselves.
Shortly before his arrest, a search warrant was executed at Barton's residence. During that search, his cell phone was seized which is believed to contain evidence showing that he was communicating with the FBI agent as well as the administrator of at least three accounts involved in the distribution of child pornography.
Barton has been charged with production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession and access with intent to view a visual depiction of a minor in sexually explicit conduct.
He is being held in federal custody following his initial court appearance yesterday.
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