Residence searched; Warwick Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

PROVIDENCE – FBI agents, members of the FBI Boston Division’s Human Trafficking Child Exploitation Task Force, and members of local and state law enforcement today executed a federal court authorized search of a Warwick residence, culminating in the arrest of a Warwick man on child exploitation charges.

James Diggins, 47, made an initial appearance Wednesday afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a federal criminal complaint charging him with receiving and distributing child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta.

According to court documents, it is alleged that an undercover FBI Task Force Officer in Green Bay, Wisconsin, posing in an undercover capacity as a 40-year old female from Wisconsin, entered multiple online public groups which appeared to have been created for individuals interested in child sexual abuse material. It is alleged that Diggins was a member of one of those groups when multiple videos and images containing child sexual exploitation materials were shared, at one point commenting on the recycling of videos he shared with the group.

It is also alleged in court documents that during a private online chat with the undercover law enforcement officer, Diggins sent the officer videos depicting child exploitation and a live photo of himself.

During a search of Diggins' residence today, an FBI agent seized an electronic device allegedly belonging to Diggins which was found to contain images and videos of child pornography.

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Diggins was released on unsecured bond to home incarceration and electronic monitoring following his appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. McAdams.

United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division Joseph R. Bonavolonta thank agents from the Milwaukee Division of the FBI, the Winnebago County Sherriff’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service in Providence, the Warwick, Cranston, Providence, Central Falls, Pawtucket and Woonsocket, Rhode Island Police Departments, and Rhode Island State Police for their assistance.