Worcester County Man Pleads Guilty To Use Instant Messenger To Distribute Child Porn

WORCESTER, MA — A Worcester County man pleaded guilty in a case involving the distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Sean Pettigrew, 50, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts. He is accused of using a messaging platform to distribute the material.

Federal investigators identified Pettigrew in April 2025 as a member of a Kik Messenger group devoted to the sexual abuse of children, prosecutors said. Pettigrew sent multiple images containing child sexual abuse material in private messages to an undercover agent posing as a group member.

A subsequent search of Pettigrew’s Kik account showed that he had sent multiple files to other users, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors charged Pettigrew in July 2025.

The distribution charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison. The possession charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Each charge also provides for at least five years and up to lifetime supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 21, 2027.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Justice Department initiative targeting child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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