A Brookline man has been charged with the production of child pornography, according to an announcement made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Scott Cunha, 24, was arrested at his home and is set to appear in federal court in Boston.
The complaint alleges that since at least 2022, Cunha used Snapchat to communicate with minors aged between 10 and 16 from various states including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri. He is accused of recruiting these children to produce nude images and videos for him in exchange for money. The charging document also states that Cunha met with at least one minor victim.
Authorities have urged members of the public who believe they may be victims to contact them at (617) 748-3274.
If convicted, the charge carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years in prison and could result in a life sentence. Additional penalties include at least five years of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Torey B. Cummings and Elizabeth Riley are prosecuting the case as part of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit.
The details provided are allegations; Cunha is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.