A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer based in Center Line was sentenced Wednesday to six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges tied to child sexual-abuse material. U.S. District Judge Terrence Berg imposed the sentence in a Detroit federal courtroom. Prosecutors told the court that investigators concluded Rocky used peer-to-peer software to obtain and share images and that attempts were made to hide or delete files from a computer seized at his Macomb County home.
As reported by The Detroit News, the punishment followed a guilty plea under which prosecutors agreed to drop one possession count as part of the deal. That dropped charge carried a potential 20-year maximum sentence. The outlet reported that Rocky admitted in court that he had obtained and shared images using peer-to-peer software.
Federal authorities say the case surfaced as part of a nationwide enforcement push. According to a Department of Justice press release, the criminal complaint alleges Rocky shared roughly 4,141 files believed to be child pornography and charged him with receipt, distribution, and possession of child sexual-abuse material.
How Investigators Say the Case Unfolded
Prosecutors say undercover work on peer-to-peer networks first led agents to a computer loaded with thousands of files, then to a device that had shared hundreds of files with an undercover machine. Investigators later traced that device to Rocky.
In his plea agreement, Rocky admitted to possessing fewer than 600 images. His attorneys have described the case and the terms of the plea agreement on their law firm's blog.
Agency Response and Neighborhood Reaction
U.S. Customs and Border Protection placed Rocky on administrative leave without pay and said it would cooperate with both criminal and internal administrative inquiries, as reported by FOX17. Neighbors in Center Line told reporters they were stunned when FBI agents descended on Rocky's home and carried out boxes and equipment. Several residents pointed out that the house is located close to a school, adding to their unease.
Plea Deal, Sentence and What Comes Next
According to The Detroit News, prosecutors dropped one possession count in exchange for Rocky's guilty plea. His defense team says he has since resigned from CBP, and that the federal prison term resolves the criminal matter, even as administrative or personnel reviews could still move forward.
The sentence comes amid a broader federal campaign against online child exploitation. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Operation Restore Justice has led to more than 200 arrests and the rescue of dozens of children nationwide. Local prosecutors and victim-witness services did not immediately provide additional comment.
