By Tiffany Williams –
BOSTON — A Rhode Island man and registered sex offender has been charged in federal court in connection with the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material, according to federal prosecutors.
Frank DeCaro, 47, of Westerly, Rhode Island, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography. Federal authorities said DeCaro was arrested Tuesday morning and was scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at 1 p.m.
According to charging documents, DeCaro is a registered sex offender following a 2014 Rhode Island state court conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material, for which he received a probationary sentence.
Federal prosecutors allege that in November 2025, DeCaro was stopped at Boston Logan International Airport while attempting to enter the United States after returning from an international trip to Italy.
Authorities allege that during a subsequent search, multiple images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material were discovered on DeCaro’s cellphone.
The charge of possession of child pornography after a previous similar offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charge also provides for at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
Federal prosecutors noted that any sentence would be determined by a U.S. District Court judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal statutes.
The allegations contained in the charging documents are accusations. DeCaro is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.