An Everett man, Robert Sokolowski, 52, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing, distributing, and receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The sentencing took place in Boston federal court before U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor. Following his prison term, Sokolowski will serve five years of supervised release.
Sokolowski pleaded guilty in September 2025 to one count each of possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography. Authorities said the offenses occurred within months after he was released from a previous federal prison sentence.
In September 2024, Sokolowski lost his cell phone on an MBTA Green Line trolley. An employee who found the phone discovered images of CSAM while trying to identify its owner. Investigators later determined that the device contained hundreds of images and videos depicting CSAM involving children as young as toddlers.
This is Sokolowski’s third federal conviction related to CSAM offenses. In 2015, he was convicted twice in U.S. District Court for possession of CSAM—first receiving a sentence of 46 months and then a second sentence of 150 months for another offense that same year. He committed the latest crimes seven months after being released from prison for his previous conviction.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England announced the sentencing. The MBTA Transit Police provided special assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Eric L. Hawkins prosecuted the case.
The prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to locate offenders and assist victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today.”
“Special assistance was provided by the MBTA Transit Police.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Eric L. Hawkins of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.”
“This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.”
“Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.”
“For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.”