Cranston Sex Offender Convicted, Caught With Child Porn On Probation

CRANSTON, RI — A federal jury on Friday convicted a registered sex offender from Cranston who possessed child pornography while on probation for a previous conviction, U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said Monday.

In December 2016, David Skally, 65, was convicted of possessing and accessing with the intent to view child pornography, and was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison with five years of probation.

It was during this period of court-ordered supervision that he committed the crimes he was convicted of on Friday, prosecutors said. Last week, Skally was found guilty of access with intent to view child pornography and possession of child pornography.

"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," U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said. "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."

Prosecutors said 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, prosecutors said.

Further, Skally admitted some of the images he viewed depicted children ages 11 or younger or under engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Additional evidence showed Skally repeatedly tried to avoid monitoring software and other safeguards required during his probation, prosecutors said. Authorities also searched Skally's computer and found several pictures of child pornography, including pictures of adults engaging in sex acts with prepubescent victims.

"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," Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Michael Krol said. "A federal jury has found Skally guilty, and he is once again facing significant time in federal prison. HSI works every day with our partners in Rhode Island to keep children safe and ensure predators are brought to justice."

Skally is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2025. He is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

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