Convicted Narragansett Sex Offender Charged With Child Porn Production

NARRAGANSETT, RI — A registered level three sex offender from Narragansett was charged in federal court Tuesday after prosecutors said he ran at least three online chat groups used to download and share child pornography.

Jeremy Barton, 41, was arrested by FBI agents Tuesday and was charged with production of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and possession and access with intent to view a visual depiction of a minor in sexually explicit conduct. Barton is being detained, following his court appearance.

In March and April 2022, an undercover FBI agent in Tennessee communication with several members of an online social media platform and saw the members trading download links for videos containing sexual abuse of children. The FBI agent communicated with the site's administrator at least three times, who authorities identified as Barton, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Barton told the FBI agent about interactions he had with two boys, one who was 12, and another Barton believed was 13 or 14. Barton had each of the boys send him videos of themselves performing sex acts, prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Barton shared the videos with the FBI employee.

On Tuesday morning, FBI agents in Rhode Island searched of Barton's home and seized his cell phone. Prosecutors said the phone had an app that was used to access the child pornography account he managed and used to communicate with the undercover FBI agent.