An Attleboro man with prior convictions, identified as 31-year-old Eric Brault, has been arrested on charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). A known Level 1 sex offender, Brault is now facing accusations that he allegedly used an internet-based communications application to participate in the trafficking of illicit content, as confirmed by the Justice Department on their official website.
Following a search of Brault's residence, law enforcement reportedly found evidence on his phone indicating his involvement with several groups on the online platform that exchanged CSAM; Brault's phone also allegedly contained over 200 video and image files that appear to depict child sexual abuse, Brault was previously convicted for Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 Years Old and was handed down an 18-month probation sentence, this new charge could consequently land him a much stiffer penalty ranging from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 20 years in prison, and he could also face a fine of up to $250,000.
As stated on the Justice Department's website, the arrest of Brault was made public today by United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy along with Michael J. Krol who is the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, with critical support being provided by the local Attleboro Police Department; the case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit.
This case forms a segment of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a collaborative effort to unite law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve, with the sole aim of reducing gun violence and other significant crime, to make our neighborhoods more secure for all, since the enhancement of this strategy on May 26, 2021, it's built on establishing trust and legitimacy within our communities, fortifying community-based organizations to prevent violence, setting clear enforcement priorities, and diligently tracking the outcomes of these measures; for more in-depth information on Project Safe Neighborhoods, interested individuals can visit the official PSN page on the Department of Justice's website.
The announcement firmly reminds us that the details within the charging documents are merely allegations and that Eric Brault, like all defendants in the legal system of the United States, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
