Orleans Man Arrested For Possessing Child Pornography

ORLEANS – A 33-year old Orleans man is facing federal charges after he was allegedly found to be in possession of child pornography.

Anthony Argo made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on July 9. Court documents indicate that Argo allegedly used a chat application to express sexual interest in minors and in sharing child pornography. Investigators searched his residence and allegedly found an SD card that contained more than 100 video files depicting child pornography. The files allegedly depicted children as young as infants.

According to the state’s sex offender registry database, Argo was previously convicted in Barnstable District Court for indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, and in Orleans District Court for kidnapping, enticement of a child under 16 and distributing obscene matter to a minor.

Because of those prior convictions, Argo would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, and at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release if he is convicted of possessing child pornography. He could also face a fine of up to $250,000.

The announcement about Argo’s arrest was made Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Department of Homeland Security. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, a Department of Justice news release reads.