News Summary
Scott James Rocky, a 57-year-old U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, faces multiple charges related to child pornography, including receipt and distribution. The arrest is a result of an FBI investigation that uncovered explicit materials at his home. Over 4,000 files depicting minors in sexual situations were linked to his computer. This case sheds light on the integrity issues within law enforcement, with Rocky now on administrative leave pending further procedures.
Detroit, Michigan – Scott James Rocky, a 57-year-old officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has been charged with multiple counts of child pornography, including receipt and distribution, as well as possession of illicit material. This arrest follows an FBI investigation that led to a raid on his home on April 30, where agents discovered an external hard drive containing explicit videos of minors.
The federal charges were officially filed on May 1, just one day after law enforcement entered Rocky’s residence as part of the ongoing investigation. The charges come as a significant event in Metro Detroit, where instances of federal officials facing criminal investigations are relatively uncommon.
According to the FBI, the investigation began on April 29, when an undercover agent logged into the BitTorrent peer-to-peer file sharing network. The agent identified Rocky’s computer as one sharing a substantial number of files associated with child pornography. A total of 4,141 files of investigative interest were noted, many of which depicted young children, specifically aged 4 to 10, in sexual situations.
Further examination revealed that a computer linked to Rocky’s IP address had shared over 530 files related to child pornography on April 15. Additional downloads from April 17 to 19 reportedly included around 500 instances of child pornography files. A subpoena served to Comcast corroborated that the IP address utilized during this digital footprint belonged to Rocky.
During the raid, FBI agents seized a desktop computer and an external hard drive, where they uncovered animated pornography videos involving minors and young teens. Some videos contained titles suggesting incest themes. Following these serious findings, Rocky has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The CBP agency has reiterated its dedication to upholding honor and integrity, asserting that it will cooperate fully with criminal investigations related to personnel misconduct. Officials emphasize that the vast majority of CBP employees conduct their duties lawfully and with great distinction.
This case is not Rocky’s first contact with legal matters; he was previously named in a 2017 lawsuit that alleged improper detention by CBP personnel, although he was dismissed from that case in 2019.
Rocky is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Monday in federal court in Detroit. His attorney, Art Weiss, has not provided any comments regarding the charges against him.
As the investigation continues, the ramifications of Rocky’s alleged actions are already being felt within the CBP and the broader law enforcement community. The case underscores the seriousness of child exploitation issues, prompting renewed discussions about the integrity of public service roles and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable populations.
Authorities are expected to pursue this case vigorously, as child exploitation remains a critical concern for law enforcement agencies across the nation. The resolution of this case may also set a precedent regarding the accountability of federal employees in similar situations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
CBP Officer Charged with Child Pornography Crimes
Additional Resources
- Free Press: CBP Officer Charged with Child Pornography
- CBS News: FBI Investigation into Border Officer
- Fox 2 Detroit: Center Line Man Charged
- Wikipedia: Child Pornography
- Our Midland: Noncitizen Sentenced for Child Pornography
- Google Search: Child Pornography Charges
- Fox 17 Online: Man Sentenced for Creating Explicit Videos
- Google Scholar: Child Exploitation
- Lansing State Journal: Federal Judge Sentences Lansing Man
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Exploitation
