PROVIDENCE — A repeat sex offender with a history of child pornography convictions has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison after being found in possession of child pornography shortly after his release from state prison, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced.
Patrick M. O’Donnell, 63, a Level III sex offender, had been released from a state prison in July after serving four years when he was found with two cellphones.
The devices were confiscated as they violated the terms of his state probation.
A forensic investigation revealed that O’Donnell used the phones to access child pornography.
O’Donnell pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession of child pornography on April 8 and was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.
Following his incarceration, O’Donnell will be placed under lifetime federal supervised release.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the Rhode Island State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Cranston Police, and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The initiative coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local authorities to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children and to identify and rescue victims.
