Ex-Customs And Border Protection Officer From Minnesota Admits To Child Exploitation Crimes

MINNETONKA, MN — A former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer from Minnetonka pleaded guilty Monday to federal child pornography charges, prosecutors said.

Anthony John Crowley, 52, admitted in U.S. District Court to possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. Crowley remains in custody while awaiting sentencing.

Authorities said the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension began investigating in 2022 after receiving a cyber tip through the Internet Crimes Against Children program.

The tip linked a Kik account used to upload child pornography to Crowley’s phone number and email address.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Crowley’s home and seized his electronic devices, which contained numerous child pornography files and what officials described as “child erotica” stories.

At the time of his arrest, Crowley was employed as a Customs and Border Protection officer but is now on indefinite suspension, according to prosecutors.

"Anthony Crowley’s crimes against children are a disgrace," Thompson said in a statement. "In the last few months, we have seen a rash of law enforcement officers, public officials, and others in positions of trust abusing children. I have zero tolerance for this betrayal."

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. said Crowley’s conduct "betrayed the honor, integrity, and lawfulness that should exemplify federal agents."

The FBI, the Minnesota BCA, the Minnetonka Police Department, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca E. Kline is prosecuting the case.

A sentencing date has not yet been set.