U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Anthony John Crowley has been charged with possession of child pornography, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Court documents reveal that Crowley, 52, from Minnetonka, Minnesota, allegedly possessed visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
“In recent months, we have seen a rash of agents, officers, and public officials engaging in crimes against children,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Let there be no misunderstanding: the U.S. Attorney’s Office has zero tolerance for people in positions of trust and authority who abuse children. Zero.”
Elizabeth Cervantes, acting Executive Director of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Investigative Operations, emphasized the importance of professionalism among CBP employees. “All U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees are required and expected to abide by the laws they enforce,” she said. “CBP OPR is committed to hold anyone accountable who betrays the public’s trust.”
Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis expressed concern over recent patterns involving authority figures exploiting children: “We are seeing a troubling pattern — multiple arrests in recent months involving individuals in positions of authority charged with exploiting children.” He added that position and power will not protect individuals from accountability.
Crowley appeared today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The investigation involved the cooperation of the US Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca E. Kline is handling the prosecution.
It should be noted that a complaint is an allegation, and Crowley is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
