Customs Officer Arrested for Child Porn Possession in Minnesota
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer assigned to Minnesota has been federally charged with possessing child sexual abuse material.
Federal prosecutors say Anthony John Crowley, 52, of Minnetonka, knowingly possessed material containing visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
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Crowley, identified in court filings as a CBP officer, appeared in U.S. District Court and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
Federal officials did not say how or where the material was discovered, nor did they disclose how long Crowley had been employed by CBP or whether he had been assigned to any specific post.
Crowley’s arrest marks the latest in a string of law enforcement officers accused of exploiting children. “In recent months, we have seen a rash of agents, officers and public officials engaging in crimes against children,” said 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.”
This is the third Minnesota-based law enforcement officer charged in recent weeks in federal cases involving child sexual abuse material. last week, Timothy Ryan Gregg, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent and FBI task force officer from Eagan, was charged with producing child pornography involving a minor. In May, Jeremy Francis Plonski, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper, was arrested and charged with receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Elizabeth Cervantes, acting Executive Director of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, said the agency is committed to accountability and stressed the importance of integrity within the ranks. “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.”
The FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office is also assisting in the investigation. Special Agent in Charge Alvin Winston said the recent pattern of arrests involving law enforcement officers is “troubling,” and emphasized that position and power will not protect offenders from being brought to justice.
“When those who take an oath to uphold the law become the ones who break it in the most egregious way, it erodes the public’s faith in our institutions,” Winston said. “Let one thing be clear: position and power will not shield you from accountability.”
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