Cranston Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Possessing and Distributing Child Pornography

 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A Cranston man arrested in May 2018 on state kidnapping, indecent exposure, and domestic violence charges, and later found also to be in possession of images of child pornography, some of which he regularly distributed to another person, was sentenced today to ten years in federal prison on possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography charges.

According to documents on file with the court, on May 27, 2018, Robert E. Soares, 41, was arrested and charged by Cranston Police after he forcibly confined a woman to a bedroom, exposed himself to others, and engaged in fighting and violent behavior.

A subsequent investigation determined that Soares had persuaded a 14-year-old girl to allow him to take photographs and a video of her dressed only in her underwear. The images were created in a makeshift movie set Soares constructed in his basement. Additionally, from August 21, 2017, until September 22, 2017, and from mid-February 2018 through May 16, 2018, Soares repeatedly distributed images of child pornography and child erotica to a friend, often referring to these images of prepubescent children being sexually abused as his “pervy pic” of the day.

According to court records, Soares, who was previously convicted on assault, robbery, domestic violence, and drug charges, pleaded nolo contendere in state court on September 13, 2018, to domestic violence – child snatching and indecent exposure charges, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison – 3 years to serve, 12 years suspended.

On November 22, 2019, Soares pleaded guilty to federal charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Today, U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith sentenced Soares to a term of incarceration of 120 months in federal prison and lifetime federal supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge Smith ordered Soares federal sentence be served consecutive to his term of incarceration in state prison.

Soares’ federal sentence is announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise M. Barton.

The matter was investigated by the Cranston Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.