Repeat Sex Offender From East Providence Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — A registered sex offender from East Providence was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after he was caught with child pornography, acting U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom said Monday.

Anthony Wertz, 34, was sentenced Friday after being convicted in June 2024 of possession of child pornography. Following his prison sentence, Wertz must serve 15 years of federal probation.

In July 2022, while serving on state probation for a 2019 conviction for possessing child pornography, Wertz, was caught by East Providence police with internet-accessible devices, a violation of the terms of his probation. Prosecutors said officers saw child sexual abuse material in plain view on Wertz's phone, when he was caught.

Simultaneous to the East Providence Police Department investigation, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an online account, later determined to be used by Wertz, had uploaded child sexual abuse material.

Prior to this conviction, Wertz had previously been convicted in Rhode Island twice for possession of child pornography or related offenses.

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