Overview:
Michael Indelicato, 41, of Athol, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to possessing child sexual abuse materials. Indelicato allegedly convinced minors to send CSAM via Snapchat and received a large amount of CSAM during a search warrant executed at his home. He faces between five to 20 years in prison, as well as fines of up to $250,000 if found guilty. He remains in custody and a status hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24.
ATHOL — An Athol man remains in custody following an indictment by a federal grand jury on charges related to possessing child sexual abuse materials [CSAM].
Michael Indelicato, 41, was arrested on Oct. 7, following an investigation by local, state and federal law enforcement, according to information provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, aiding and abetting; sexual exploitation of a minor; possession of child pornography, and two counts of receipt of child pornography.
The grand jury, sitting at Worcester, determined on Oct. 15 that there is enough evidence to proceed with the trial, according to court documents. Indelicato’s attorney, Blake Rubin of Worcester, asked that Indelicato be released, provided that he continues with his mental health treatment. Attempts to reach Rubin for comment were unsuccessful.
Magistrate Judge David Hennessy determined that Indelicato should remain in federal custody and was returned to the custody of the U.S. Marshall’s Service, according to court documents. A status hearing, to be held remotely, is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 24, in federal court in Worcester.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Indelicato allegedly “convinced minors to send CSAM (child sexual abuse material) via the social media and instant messaging app Snapchat.”
On Nov. 16, 2020, Indelicato allegedly told an individual via Snapchat that he would pay the person $1,500 if he or she would send pictures of “the individual’s younger sibling, a pre-pubescent minor.” The U.S. Attorney’s office continues, “It is alleged that Indelicato convinced the individual to make the (picture) and Indelicato received it…over Snapchat.”
On or about Jan. 12, 2021, Indelicato allegedly convinced a minor over Snapchat to make and send him CSAM of themselves. The material, prosecutors allege, was received by Indelicato from the minor via Snapchat. According to the the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a search warrant was executed at Indelicato’s home on May 1 of this year and during the search, a large amount of child sexual abuse material was found.
Indelicato faces between five to 20 years in prison, as well as fines of up to $250,000 if found guilty. He also could be sentenced to a lifetime supervised release.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.