BOSTON – A Cambridge man was arrested and charged today in connection with purchasing child pornography with digital currency from the dark web.
David H. Chang, 27, was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. Following an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Marianne B. Bowler, Chang was detained pending a hearing which is set for Jan. 21, 2022.
According to the charging documents, between on or about April 2021 and January 2022, Chang used digital currency to purchase child pornography from the dark web. A search of Chang’s apartment this morning resulted in the recovery of electronic devices onto which Chang allegedly downloaded the child pornography he purchased. Additionally, Chang admitted to agents that he bought child pornography from a site on the dark web.
United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins and Matthew B. Millhollin, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. Homeland Security Investigations in New Haven (Conn.) provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Tolkoff of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
