From the US Attorney’s Office,
JAMESTOWN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Brandon G. Uber, 23, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that in March 2021, Uber sent a Snapchat user image and video files of a 16-year-old minor female victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Uber also received images and videos of child pornography from other users of social media applications. In addition, Uber had online conversations with another known minor female victim, during which he persuaded the victim to create sexually explicit videos of herself to send to him. Uber stored the child pornography he received and distributed on various electronic devices that were seized during the investigation, including two cell phones and two tablets.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2024, before Judge Arcara.
GRAND JURY INDICTS BUFFALO MAN ON CHARGES OF PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Mark Nash, 35, of Buffalo, NY, with three counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum of 30 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, on three occasions between July 2021, and May 2022, Nash coerced Minor Victim 1 to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. In addition, between July 2, 2021, and April 12, 2023, Nash possessed a cell phone containing sexually explicit images of Minor Victim 1.
The defendant was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
LOCKPORT MAN CONNECTED TO GLOBAL SEX TRAFFICKING NETWORK CHARGED WITH RECEIPT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Richard Greer, 57, of Lockport, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of 20 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who is handling the case stated that according to the complaint, Homeland Security Investigations has been investigating individuals who provide access to live-streaming online webcam shows involving the sexual abuse and exploitation of children to paying customers worldwide, including a specific individual (Trafficker) operating a child-sex-trafficking network from the Philippines. During the investigation, they identified significant communication between Trafficker and defendant Greer, with the two exchanging approximately 31,000 messages, 3099 calls, and 213 media files. During these communications, Greer received many images and videos of child pornography from Trafficker.
Greer made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
