Former Minnetonka CBP Officer Sentenced to 71 Months for Child Porn

Anthony John Crowley, a 52-year-old ex-Customs and Border Protection officer, received a 71-month prison term and 10 years of supervised release.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 10:31am

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Anthony John Crowley, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer from Minnetonka, Minnesota, was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to child pornography charges. Crowley was first charged and arrested in June 2025 after an investigation by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force traced child sexual abuse material to his phone number and email address.

Why it matters

Crowley's case is part of a recent string of federal prosecutions involving people in positions of public trust, such as law enforcement officers, who have been charged with child exploitation crimes. These cases highlight the ongoing efforts by authorities to crack down on the abuse of children, even by those in positions of power and responsibility.

The details

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the investigation began in 2022 when the ICAC task force identified a Kik messaging app user uploading child sexual abuse material. Investigators traced the user to Crowley, leading to a search warrant and the seizure of electronic devices containing numerous images and "child erotica" stories. Crowley pleaded guilty last September to possession and related offenses involving child sexual abuse material.

  • Crowley was first charged and arrested in June 2025.
  • Crowley pleaded guilty in September 2025.
  • Crowley was sentenced on January 30, 2026.

The players

Anthony John Crowley

A 52-year-old former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer from Minnetonka, Minnesota, who pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.

Laura M. Provinzino

The U.S. District Judge who sentenced Crowley to 71 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release.

Joseph H. Thompson

The Acting U.S. Attorney who called Crowley's conduct "a disgrace" and stressed the office's "zero tolerance for people in positions of trust and authority who abuse children."

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What they’re saying

“you wore the badge, people trusted you,”

— Laura M. Provinzino, U.S. District Judge

“a disgrace" and stressing that the office has "zero tolerance for people in positions of trust and authority who abuse children,”

— Joseph H. Thompson, Acting U.S. Attorney

What’s next

The Bureau of Prisons will determine where Crowley will serve his 71-month sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by authorities to crack down on child exploitation crimes, even when committed by those in positions of public trust like law enforcement officers. It underscores the zero-tolerance policy for such abuses of power and the consequences that can befall those who violate the public's trust.