Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Jonathan Comeau (DOB: 5/5/48), formerly of Bristol, RI, pleaded guilty yesterday before Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel to two counts of transmission of child pornography, two counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of manufacturing child pornography.
Justice Vogel sentenced Comeau to seven years with 18 months to serve and the remainder suspended with probation. Comeau must register as a sex offender upon release and agreed to numerous conditions, including not residing with any children 17 years of age or younger, no unsupervised contact with any children 17 years of age or younger, may not possess, own or use any mobile device that has Internet access, and must attend sex offender counseling sessions.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove Comeau manufactured, was in possession of and transmitted sexually explicit images of minor children.
Detective John Alfred of the Rhode Island State Police Computer Crimes Unit led the investigation. Assistant Attorney General Ronald Gendron handled the prosecution on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.
Comeau, who is currently residing in Gaffney, SC, will surrender himself to the Department of Corrections on January 4, 2012 to begin his sentence.