PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A federal jury returned a guilty verdict on Dec 6, delivering a second conviction to a Cranston registered sex offender after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents found he possessed child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) while on supervised release following a 2016 federal conviction for the same offense.
David A. Skally, 65, was convicted following a four-day trial on charges of access with intent to view child pornography and possession of child pornography.
In December 2016, Skally was convicted of possessing and accessing with the intent to view child pornography after an investigation by HSI and the Rhode Island Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. It was during this period of court-ordered supervision that he committed his current crimes.
“Despite a previous federal conviction and prison time, Skally chose to again seek out child sexual abuse material knowing full well the harm it causes to children and the legal consequences he would face. A federal jury has found Skally guilty and he is once again facing significant time in federal prison,” said HSI New England’s Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “HSI works every day with our partners in Rhode Island to keep children safe and ensure predators are brought to justice.”
“Undeterred by his prior conviction, this defendant chose to continue in a course of conduct that victimized and contributed to the horrific abuse of children,” remarked U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. “This Office is likewise undeterred in its determination to stand up for the most vulnerable among us, and with this verdict, we have ensured that the public will be kept safe from this defendant for years to come.”
According to evidence presented by the government at trial, Skally underwent three examinations by a member of his sex-offender treatment team between June 5, 2020, and April 5, 2021, as part of his court-ordered supervision. During the course of those examinations, Skally admitted to viewing sexually explicit images of children “over ten times” after his release from prison while on supervised release. Further, Skally admitted some of the images he viewed depicted children 11 years of age or under engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Additional evidence showed that Skally engaged in repeated efforts to avoid monitoring software and other safeguards required during his term of probation.
Subsequent investigation and a forensic examination of Skally’s computer by HSI special agents and computer forensics agents ultimately discovered several images of CSAM, including images of adults engaged in sexual activity with prepubescent victims. The jury ultimately concluded that Skally both possessed and accessed CSAM with the intent to view it, and specifically found that at least some of the material in question involved prepubescent children under the age of twelve.
Skally is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2024. Due to his prior conviction, Skally is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison.
HSI New England’s Providence Resident Agent in Charge office led the investigation with U.S. Probation Department.
HSI is a global leader in the fight against child exploitation. Last year, HSI special agents dedicated 1.2 million case hours toward investigating child exploitation. This heinous crime harms the most vulnerable in our society: our kids. As technology evolves and more people have access to the internet, children are at a greater risk than ever. HSI’s special agents and analysts around the world are dedicated to countering this threat.
Report suspected child exploitation to the HSI Tip Line at 1-877-447-4847 or through the CyberTipline on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's website.
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