A complaint was filed in U.S. District Court charging Drew Collin Imparato, a 26-year-old registered sex offender residing in the District of Columbia, with receipt of child pornography, according to an April 3 announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address online exploitation and abuse of children. Authorities say such prosecutions are part of broader initiatives to protect children from internet-based crimes.
Court documents indicate that Imparato was previously convicted in 2019 for interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and distribution of child pornography, resulting in a five-year prison sentence. After his release, he allegedly sought out online forums selling child sexual abuse material and spent $12,000 purchasing hundreds of videos through Telegram and other applications.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox joined Pirro in announcing the charges. The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Bohlen.
This prosecution falls under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, launched nationwide in February 2006 to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The program brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate offenders who exploit children via the internet and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Authorities remind the public that charges contained in a complaint are allegations only; every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.