By Tiffany Williams –
ATHOL, Mass. — A 35-year-old Athol man who allegedly told investigators he has served as a youth soccer referee and works part time at a behavioral health facility where he sees youth and adult patients has been arrested on a federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material.
Kristopher Ambrozewicz was arrested after federal authorities executed a search warrant at his Athol home.
He is charged with one count of possession of child pornography and remains detained pending a hearing scheduled for Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. in federal court in Worcester.
According to charging documents, investigators searched Ambrozewicz’s residence and conducted an on-site review of his cellular phone.
Authorities allege they found several videos depicting child sexual abuse material, commonly referred to as CSAM, on the phone.
Investigators also seized numerous electronic devices from the residence, including laptops, hard drives and other electronic storage media.
Those devices are now subject to further forensic review.
The investigation is also drawing attention to Ambrozewicz’s alleged connections to children through his work and other activities.
According to charging documents, Ambrozewicz allegedly told law enforcement that he has served as a youth soccer referee and as a referee assigner for the North Quabbin United Soccer Club.
He also allegedly told investigators that he works part time at CHD Outpatient Behavioral Health Services in Orange, Massachusetts, where he sees both youth and adult patients.
Authorities have not alleged in the information provided that any child Ambrozewicz encountered through the soccer club or behavioral health facility was depicted in the material allegedly discovered on his phone.
Federal authorities are now asking members of the public who may have questions, concerns or information connected to the case to contact investigators.
The federal charge carries potentially significant prison time if Ambrozewicz is convicted.
Possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, no less than five years and up to lifetime supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Any sentence would ultimately be imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and federal statutes governing sentencing.
The investigation remains focused not only on what authorities say was discovered during the initial search, but also on the electronic evidence seized from the Athol residence for further forensic examination.
Ambrozewicz has been charged, not convicted. The allegation against him must be proven in court.