North Providence Man Sentenced, Had 1,300 Child Porn Videos, Pictures

NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI — A North Providence man was sentenced Tuesday to five years in federal prison after admitting he was caught with more than 1,300 pictures and videos of child pornography.

Mark Peterson, 46, pleaded guilty in September to distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Following his prison sentence, he must serve 15 years of probation.

In February 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwarded information to the Rhode Island State Police regarding the online distribution of child pornography. A state police detective determined that someone using the IP address at Peterson’s home sent 114 files depicting child sexual abuse over an online messaging application.

Prosecutors said authorities searched Peterson's home on April 5, 2022, found several phones, and discovered more than 1,300 files consisting of videos and images of child sexual abuse, including depictions of the abuse of pre-pubescent children, infants, sadomasochism, and bestiality. Investigators also located screen recordings in which Peterson falsely portrayed himself as 15 years old.

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