A Leominster resident, Brian Cook, age 36, was arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material after federal authorities executed a search warrant at his home. The arrest took place yesterday, and Cook is currently detained pending a hearing scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today in federal court in Worcester.
According to court documents, investigators conducted an on-site review of Cook’s computer and hard drives during the search and allegedly found several videos containing child sexual abuse material. Authorities seized multiple electronic devices from the residence, including laptops, hard drives, and other storage media for further forensic examination.
Members of the public who have questions or information related to this case are encouraged to contact 617-748-3274.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years. If convicted, Cook could also face supervised release for life and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge according to federal guidelines and statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, announced the charges. The Leominster and Westford Police Departments provided assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett from the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting 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.”
Authorities remind that all details contained in charging documents are allegations at this stage; Cook is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
