02/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/26/2026 16:33
BOSTON - An Attleboro man has been arrested and charged for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Gerard R. Proulx, Jr., 59, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. Proulx was arrested on Feb. 25, 2026, and made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston later that day. He is currently detained.
In 2012, Proulx was convicted of possession of child pornography in the District of Rhode Island and sentenced to 30 in federal prison.
According to the charging documents, in the summer of 2025, law enforcement investigating the receipt and distribution of child pornography via the internet downloaded multiple files from an IP address determined to be registered to Proulx. On Feb. 25, 2025, during a search of Proulx's residence, various electronic devices including a desktop computer were recovered. It is alleged that an initial forensic examination of Proulx's desktop computer revealed over 1500 files consistent with CSAM. Further review of Proulx's devices remains on-going.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact [email protected].
Because of Proulx's prior conviction, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Zacks of the Major Crimes Unit 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.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.