A Hyde Park man is facing a federal charge after authorities allege he possessed child sexual abuse material and engaged in online communication with a minor.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, Nicholas J. McDonagh, 25, was arrested on April 23, 2026 and charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. He remains in federal custody pending further court proceedings.
Investigators allege the case began in June 2025, when the Delaware State Police identified McDonagh as a suspect linked to sexually explicit messages, photos and videos sent to a 12-year-old girl in Delaware through Snapchat. Authorities allege the communication occurred between January and March 2025 and included nude video chats.
On Aug. 6, 2025, law enforcement searched McDonagh’s residence and seized several cellphones. Prosecutors allege the devices contained approximately 24 video files depicting child sexual abuse material, including videos involving girls appearing to be younger than 12. One device also allegedly contained message exchanges with the minor.
McDonagh was initially arrested by state authorities on Aug. 6, 2025 and later released on bail with conditions including GPS monitoring, internet restrictions and no unsupervised contact with minors.
He was taken into federal custody in April 2026 following the filing of the criminal complaint.
The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, if convicted. Sentences are determined by a federal judge based on applicable guidelines and statutes.
