An Indian national, Ashish Kapoor, also known as "Romy Kapoor," has been charged with possession of child pornography following an indictment on February 6, 2025; the announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson. Kapoor, 28, could face up to 20 years in prison, if convicted, alongside a fine of up to $250,000.00, supervised release that could extend for life, and an additional mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The evidence against Kapoor includes digital videos and computer images that purportedly show visual depictions of prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct as of December 20, 2024; Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson however has stressed that the indictment is not a conviction, Kapoor's guilt must still be established beyond a reasonable doubt, the mandate of any just legal proceeding requires such due diligence. Project Safe Childhood, an initiative dedicated to combating child sexual exploitation and abuse, especially on the internet, has been instrumental in bringing this case to the fore, aiming to align the efforts of federal, state, and local agencies in catching and prosecuting offenders and aiding the victims they exploit, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Kapoor's indictment is a result of cooperative investigation efforts by the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Customs and Border Protection, and the New Orleans Police Department; Assistant United States Attorney Maria Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit will prosecute the case. More info on Project Safe Childhood and its mission to curb the epidemic of child exploitation can be found on their website, for those who are interested in learning more or offering support to the initiative, obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
