RI Man Caught With 2,000 Child Porn Videos, Pictures Sentenced

JOHNSTON, RI — A Johnston man was sentenced to three years in federal prison Wednesday after admitting to possessing more than 2,000 videos and pictures of child pornography.

Jon Knowles, 49, pleaded guilty in May to possession of child pornography. He told a federal judge he used a computer software program to download encrypted "pieces" of files used to assemble digital files. Then in June and August 2021, Knowles used the software program to download and assemble at least three videos of child pornography depicting prepubescent girls.

On November 17, 2021, FBI agents searched Knowles' home and seized several electronic devices. A forensic audit of the devices resulted in the discovery of 2,075 videos and 342 images of child pornography, prosecutors said.

Following the prison sentence, Knowles faces 10 years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine.