Ashish Kapoor, also known as Romy Kapoor, pleaded guilty on March 18 to charges of transportation and possession of child pornography, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. Kapoor, age 28 and a national of India, entered his plea before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry in New Orleans.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address crimes involving the exploitation of minors through digital means.
According to court documents, Kapoor traveled from Bombay, India to New Orleans on February 21, 2024 with a cellular phone containing videos and images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Authorities said that on April 11, 2024 he downloaded additional material showing the sexual abuse of a child while at his residence in New Orleans. Special Agents from the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations and officers from the New Orleans Police Department arrested Kapoor on December 20, 2024.
In a recorded statement following his arrest, Kapoor confessed that he had viewed and received child pornography using WhatsApp on his phone. He admitted possessing more than 600 images involving sexual abuse of minors—including content depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct as well as abuse involving infants and toddlers.
Kapoor faces up to twenty years in prison for transportation of child pornography (Count One), with Count Two carrying a minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years for possession. Each count could result in fines up to $250,000 along with supervised release for up to life and mandatory registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17 before Judge Guidry.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations alongside Customs and Border Protection and local police. Assistant United States Attorney Maria M. Carboni is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice aimed at combating online exploitation of children.
