Brookline police arrest man for alleged possession of child sex abuse materials
Brookline police arrested a 27-year-old Boston man on Wednesday and charged him with possession of images depicting child sex abuse.
The man, Firoze Kohli, was also charged with the dissemination of obscene matter.
Brookline police received information in June about Kohli, a former Brookline resident who now lives in Boston, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell.
The organization had received a tip from MediaLab, the parent company of the messaging app Kik, Campbell said.
On Wednesday, officers executed a search warrant at a Commonwealth Avenue address, and found items that appeared to be child sex abuse material, Campbell said. Officers arrested Kohli and seized several electronic devices.
“This is an active investigation, and more charges are possible as detectives continue to look into the case,” Campbell said.
According to NBC Boston, which first reported the arrest , officers from Boston police and the FBI were also on the scene Wednesday. Campbell said that the agencies were assisting what is primarily a Brookline police investigation.
Kohli is scheduled to be arraigned at Brookline District Court Thursday morning.
The suspect, Firoze Kohli, a former Brookline resident, was taken into custody on Wednesday after Brookline police executed a search warrant at a residence on Commonwealth Avenue. According to Brookline Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell, the arrest followed a lead from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which had received a tip from MediaLab, the parent company of the popular messaging app Kik.
Authorities say the investigation began in June, when NCMEC alerted Brookline Police to potentially illegal activity linked to Kohli's online presence. Kik had reportedly detected content uploaded through its platform that was consistent with child exploitation imagery and reported it under federal requirements.
Upon executing the warrant, officers allegedly found materials classified as child sexual abuse content and seized multiple electronic devices, including phones and computers. Kohli was arrested at the scene without incident.
“This is an active investigation, and more charges are possible as detectives continue to look into the case,” said Campbell. “Our top priority is the safety and protection of children, and we are committed to pursuing these cases thoroughly.”
The search and arrest operation involved collaboration with Boston Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), both of which were on-site to assist but emphasized that the Brookline Police Department is leading the investigation.
Kohli is expected to be arraigned in Brookline District Court on Thursday morning. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether additional charges related to production, solicitation, or distribution may be filed pending forensic analysis of the seized devices.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on online exploitation, and the vital role that private tech companies and national child protection organizations play in detecting and reporting illicit activity.
Residents and parents in the Brookline and Boston areas are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online behavior to authorities. The Brookline Police Department also encourages families to educate children about online safety and the risks associated with digital platforms.
“This arrest serves as a reminder that digital footprints can and will be traced when criminal activity is involved,” Campbell added. “We are grateful for the partnerships that make these investigations possible.”
The case originated in June 2024, when Brookline police received a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip had been submitted by MediaLab, the parent company of the messaging app Kik, after it identified user activity involving explicit content that appeared to depict minors. Under U.S. federal law, online service providers are required to report any suspected child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) to NCMEC, which then coordinates with law enforcement.
Deputy Superintendent Paul Campbell of the Brookline Police Department confirmed that the tip led officers to initiate a digital trail investigation that eventually identified Kohli as the suspect. The case involved digital forensic analysts and coordination with the Boston Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation, who were present during the execution of the warrant.
During the search, officers reportedly recovered electronic devices containing images and videos consistent with CSEM, as well as communications suggesting the possibility of distribution through messaging platforms. Authorities seized laptops, smartphones, and storage drives, which are now undergoing forensic examination. Officials have not yet disclosed the volume or nature of the materials found but emphasized that the investigation is ongoing.
“This is an active investigation, and we are taking every step to examine the full scope of this case,” said Campbell. “The evidence collected so far supports serious charges, and additional offenses may be uncovered.”
Kohli was arrested without resistance and taken into custody. He is being charged with possession of child sexual abuse material and dissemination of obscene matter—a charge that typically refers to the electronic sharing or transfer of illicit content. His arraignment is scheduled for Thursday morning at Brookline District Court.
