Tag:

Child Pornography

'Callous Predator' Who Sextorted 13-Year-Old Girl Sentenced To Life In Prison 'Callous Predator' Who Sextorted 13-Year-Old Girl Sentenced To Life In Prison
'Callous Predator' Who Sextorted 13-Year-Old Girl Sentenced To Life In Prison A convicted child predator from New York was sentenced to life in prison for posing as a teenager in order to sexually extort a 13-year-old New Jersey girl. Zachary Williams, 37, of New York City, learned his fate in Camden federal court on Tuesday, March 18, following convictions for interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and related charges. After a nearly two-week trial, jurors concluded that Williams met the 13-year-old victim on Snapchat and pretended to be 17 years old. In reality, he was 33 at the time. Williams asked the girl to send him nude photos of …
Sexual Abuse: NY Pastor Admits 'Sweet Spot' For Molesting Children Was Between 11 And 15 Sexual Abuse: NY Pastor Admits 'Sweet Spot' For Molesting Children Was Between 11 And 15
Sexual Abuse: NY Pastor Admits 'Sweet Spot' For Molesting Children Was Between 11 And 15 A New York pastor formally confessed to sexually abusing numerous children, some as young as infants. Long Island resident Jose Saez Jr., 29, of Brentwood, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child in Central Islip federal court on Tuesday, March 11, following an investigation by the Justice Department’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative. Saez, a father of three and former pastor at Brentwood’s Iglesia Cristiana Alumbrando El Camino Church, admitted to using an encrypted messaging service to engage in sexually explicit conversations with minors and with a law enforcement officer po…
Child Sex Abuser On Parole Caught With Child Pornography In Region, Police Say Child Sex Abuser On Parole Caught With Child Pornography In Region, Police Say
Child Sex Abuser On Parole Caught With Child Pornography In Region, Police Say A convicted child sex abuser who was released from prison early was caught with child pornography, police said. Peter Lentz, 42, of Catskill, was re-arrested following a New York State Police investigation into indecent material involving minors on Thursday, March 6, the agency said. Troopers began investigating Lentz in October 2024 following a mandatory meeting with his parole officer at his Catskill home. During the meeting, the officer discovered an electronic device belonging to Lentz that contained “indecent material” involving children, police said. Lentz was initially arrested…
Child Porn: Woman, 32, Accused Of Transmitting Videos, Pics From Hudson Valley Home, Police Say Child Porn: Woman, 32, Accused Of Transmitting Videos, Pics From Hudson Valley Home, Police Say
Child Porn: Woman, 32, Accused Of Transmitting Videos, Pics From Hudson Valley Home, Police Say A 32-year-old woman faces child porn charges after allegedly transmitting explicit videos and pictures over the internet from her Putnam County home, authorities said. Southeast resident Danielle Sawicki, age 32, was arrested following a search of her residence on Tuesday, Feb. 18, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday, March 4.  According to the Sheriff's Office, in July 2024, investigators received a cyber tip from the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force related to explicit materials being transmitted from a Putnam County home. On…
Child Porn Distribution: Hudson Valley Man, 52, Now On Home Detention, Officials Say Child Porn Distribution: Hudson Valley Man, 52, Now On Home Detention, Officials Say
Child Porn Distribution: Hudson Valley Man, 52, Now On Home Detention, Officials Say A 52-year-old Hudson Valley man is on home arrest after being accused of distributing child pornography, officials said. Jason J. Traina of Rockland County appeared in court on Friday, Jan. 31, on a charge of distribution of child pornography, Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced on Tuesday, Feb. 4.  Traina was originally charged in Iowa following an investigation conducted by both the Rockland DA's Office and the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa. His arrest was first announced by the Southern District of Iowa. Follow…
Dutchess County Man Charged With Extortion After Digital Scheme Nets $2 Dutchess County Man Charged With Extortion After Digital Scheme Nets $2
Dutchess County Man Charged With Extortion After Digital Scheme Nets $2 A Hudson Valley man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly extorting $22,000 by masquerading as a teenager online and then threatening a local victim with accusations of possessing child pornography. Ian D. Buckley Jr., age 25, of Poughkeepsie, was charged on Wednesday, Dec. 4, following an investigation by New York State Police. Trooper AJ Hicks said the investigation determined that  Buckley, using an alias, engaged in a digital conversation with the victim in which the two exchanged explicit images before meeting in person.  Buckley then informed the victim he was the f…
Sibling Sextortion: NY Child Abuser Had Help From Sister In Cyberstalking Scheme, Feds Say Sibling Sextortion: NY Child Abuser Had Help From Sister In Cyberstalking Scheme, Feds Say
Sibling Sextortion: NY Child Abuser Had Help From Sister In Cyberstalking Scheme, Feds Say A New York brother currently serving time in federal prison and sister are facing federal charges for an elaborate cyberstalking and extortion scheme involving explicit images and a fraudulent life insurance plot, federal authorities announced. Fred Mastroianni, of White Plains, and Doreen Mastroianni, of Yorktown Heights, have been charged with cyberstalking, extortion, and conspiracy to commit extortion, according to an indictment unsealed by federal officials. The pair allegedly targeted "Victim-1" by threatening to release sexually explicit photos and videos unless the victim complied w…
Dating App Message With Child Porn Leads To Conviction Of Former Area Resident Dating App Message With Child Porn Leads To Conviction Of Former Area Resident
Dating App Message With Child Porn Leads To Conviction Of Former Area Resident A former resident in the region is facing years behind bars after admitting to sending child pornography on a dating app. Tyreik Blackmon, age 30, formerly of Schenectady, pleaded guilty to child sex crimes in Schenectady County Court on Tuesday, Nov. 26. Prosecutors said Blackmon, who also goes by “Elise,” admitted to sending a sexually explicit video and photo of a child to another person via an online dating app in November 2023. Investigators got involved after a good Samaritan contacted law enforcement saying he had met another user of the dating app who, during a conversation about …
Search Warrant Leads To Child Porn Charge For Hudson Valley 60-Year-Old Search Warrant Leads To Child Porn Charge For Hudson Valley 60-Year-Old
Search Warrant Leads To Child Porn Charge For Hudson Valley 60-Year-Old A Hudson Valley code enforcement officer and fire investigator has been charged with allegedly possessing materials showing obscene sexual performances by a child. Orange County resident John Orr, age 60, of Pine Island, was charged on Wednesday, Nov. 6, following the execution of a search warrant by the New York State Police and the town of Warwick Police on Glenwood Road, in the Town of Warwick, said Trooper Steven Nvel. After the search, Nevel said Orr was arrested, processed, and released on an appearance ticket.  The investigation is continuing by State Police Monroe BCI and the …
Hudson Valley Sex Offender Admits To Failing To Register Email Address Hudson Valley Sex Offender Admits To Failing To Register Email Address
Hudson Valley Sex Offender Admits To Failing To Register Email Address A Hudson Valley sex offender pled guilty after admitting in court that he failed to register an email he was not supposed to have. Ulster County resident Joseph Nash, aka “Nash Von Wicked” and “Nash Bridges,” age 45, of Port Ewen, pled guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to failing to update his registration as a sex offender to include an email address that he failed to disclose, said US Attorney for Northern District of New York Carla Freedman. Nash admitted that he became a Level II sex offender after he pled guilty in federal court in 2009 to distributing child pornography, Freedman said. Nash …
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Child Porn, Attempting To Entice Minor Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Child Porn, Attempting To Entice Minor
Hudson Valley Man Sentenced For Child Porn, Attempting To Entice Minor A man from the region who admitted he traveled to meet an 11-year-old to have sex and possession of child pornography has been sentenced to prison. Dutchess County resident Aaron W. Scott, age 28, of Poughkeepsie, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to the US Attorney for the Northern District of New York. As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Scott admitted that between Thursday, April 1, 2022, and Wednesday, June 14, 2022, he sent sexually explicit text messages to someone he believed was an 11-year-old girl in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual act…
Child Porn Possession: Former Sports Hall Of Famer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time Child Porn Possession: Former Sports Hall Of Famer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time
Child Porn Possession: Former Sports Hall Of Famer From Northern Westchester Gets Prison Time A retired teacher and former sports announcer who was once inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame has been sentenced for receiving child pornography.  Somers resident Richard Leaf, age 76, who is well-known in Westchester for announcing Section 1 boys and girls basketball tournaments for more than three decades, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 2 to a decade in prison for receiving child pornography, according to federal US District Court documents.  Earlier Report - Child Porn Possession: Sports Hall Of Famer From Hudson Valley Pleads Guilty According to federal pr…
Adult Film Actor From NY Accused Of Distributing Child Pornography Adult Film Actor From NY Accused Of Distributing Child Pornography
Adult Film Actor From NY Accused Of Distributing Child Pornography An adult film actor who resides in New York has been accused of sending and receiving hundreds of videos of child pornography, federal authorities announced. Justin Heath Smith, who uses the stage name “Austin Wolf.” sent images depicting children as young as infants, "including a ghastly video showing a young child bound, beaten, and raped," said Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. In addition to sharing child pornography via the Telegram app, the 43-year-old Smith was also charged with possessing hundreds of additional videos conta…
Ex-School Counselor In Capital Region Filmed Sexually Explicit Content Of Child For Years Ex-School Counselor In Capital Region Filmed Sexually Explicit Content Of Child For Years
Ex-School Counselor In Capital Region Filmed Sexually Explicit Content Of Child For Years A former middle school guidance counselor in the region confessed to repeatedly taking sexually explicit photos of a child beginning when the victim was just 9 years old. Albany County resident Kristy Koldis, age 46, of Latham, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child in Albany federal court on Monday, June 3. Koldis, a former counselor at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School in Albany and professor at Russell Sage College in Troy, admitted that she repeatedly took sexually explicit content depicting the victim’s genitals. The abuse continued until the child was 13. Earli…
Toddlers, Infants Among Hundreds Of Child Sex Abuse Images In Capital Region Man's Possession Toddlers, Infants Among Hundreds Of Child Sex Abuse Images In Capital Region Man's Possession
Toddlers, Infants Among Hundreds Of Child Sex Abuse Images In Capital Region Man's Possession A 26-year-old man from the region faces years in federal prison after he was caught with hundreds of images depicting child sex abuse. Greene County resident Drew Caswell, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography in Albany federal court on Wednesday, May 29. According to prosecutors, Caswell confessed to using a file-hosting service to download child pornography and then shared numerous photos and videos on X, formerly Twitter. He also admitted to possessing illicit images on his cell phone, including nearly 300 pictures and videos of toddlers…
Capital Region Child Predator Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images Capital Region Child Predator Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images
Capital Region Child Predator Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images A convicted child sex abuser from the region will spend decades in federal prison after confessing that he blackmailed young kids into sending nude images. Rensselaer County resident Zachary Cota, age 31, of Castleton-on-Hudson, pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography in Albany federal court on Friday, May 10. According to prosecutors, Cota admitted to using SnapChat to get three children to send him nude photos. Two of the victims were 8 and 13 years old. Once the children provided the requested photos, he reportedly threatened to reveal what they had done in order to get more illic…
Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds
Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds A 54-year-old man faces child pornography possession charges after placing hidden cameras in the bathroom of a public park in the Hudson Valley to capture images of young girls, officials announced. Putnam County resident John Towers of Mahopac was arrested on Thursday, April 18 on child pornography charges, the US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, from July 24, 2018, to December 9, 2019, Towers put hidden cameras in the bathroom of a privately owned public park in Putnam County to secretly record sexually explicit images…
Child Porn Charges: Capital Region Man Busted With Illicit Photos, Videos, Feds Say Child Porn Charges: Capital Region Man Busted With Illicit Photos, Videos, Feds Say
Child Porn Charges: Capital Region Man Busted With Illicit Photos, Videos, Feds Say Federal prosecutors are pursuing child pornography charges against a man from the region after he allegedly sent and received numerous illicit images of children.  Taykwun Smoaks, age 32, of Albany, was arraigned on charges that he distributed, received, and possessed child pornography in Albany federal court on Friday, April 12. According to investigators, Smoaks sent and received images and videos of child pornography over the internet between February and March 2023. The illicit images were reportedly found on both his computer and an external hard drive. If convicted, he face…
Capital Region Man Admits Blackmailing Underage Girls Into Sending Sexually Explicit Images Capital Region Man Admits Blackmailing Underage Girls Into Sending Sexually Explicit Images
Capital Region Man Admits Blackmailing Underage Girls Into Sending Sexually Explicit Images Years in federal prison await a man from the region who confessed to blackmailing underage girls into sending him sexually explicit images. Richard Nejame, age 29, of Schenectady, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of receiving and attempting to receive child pornography in Albany federal court on Thursday, April 11. Prosecutors said Nejame messaged several underage girls on social media apps, including Snapchat, while pretending to be a teenage boy between October 2022 and May 2023. As part of his guilty plea, he admitted that he then convinced the girls to take nude pictures and videos of…
K9 Helps Nab Man Caught With Child Porn In Hudson Valley: Authorities K9 Helps Nab Man Caught With Child Porn In Hudson Valley: Authorities
K9 Helps Nab Man Caught With Child Porn In Hudson Valley: Authorities A 53-year-old Hudson Valley man faces child pornography charges following a search of his residence, police announced. Putnam County resident John Towers of Mahopac was arrested on Friday, March 29 after he was caught in possession of images depicting the sexual abuse of children, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced on Tuesday, April 2.  According to the Sheriff's Office, Towers' arrest followed an investigation that began in February, when the office's Bureau of Criminal Investigation received information that a Town of Carmel resident had photos containing child pornography.…
Thousands Of Child Porn Photos, Videos Found On Capital Region Man's Computer Thousands Of Child Porn Photos, Videos Found On Capital Region Man's Computer
Thousands Of Child Porn Photos, Videos Found On Capital Region Man's Computer A man from the region could spend decades behind bars after being found with thousands of images depicting child sex abuse. Albany County resident Scott Weinbloom, age 49, of Latham, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in Albany federal court on Thursday, Feb. 1. According to prosecutors, a search of Weinbloom’s Latham residence in May 2022 turned up 1,300 photos and 1,500 videos of child pornography that had been stored on a USB flash drive. Investigators also found two computers that had been used to store and view the illicit images. Weinbloom faces up to 20 years in federal…
Capital Region Man Admits Storing Child Porn On USB Flash Drive Capital Region Man Admits Storing Child Porn On USB Flash Drive
Capital Region Man Admits Storing Child Porn On USB Flash Drive A 40-year-old man from the region could spend decades behind bars for having child pornography. Schenectady County resident Aaron Griesche, of Niskayuna, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in Albany federal court on Thursday, Jan. 11. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District, Griesche admitted to storing illicit images of children on a USB flash drive that was found in his home in July 2021. He confessed to purchasing the memory stick online and then transferring videos depicting child sex abuse from the internet to the device. The case was investigated b…
Capital Region Man Molested 6-Year-Old, Photographed Her Genitals, Feds Say Capital Region Man Molested 6-Year-Old, Photographed Her Genitals, Feds Say
Capital Region Man Molested 6-Year-Old, Photographed Her Genitals, Feds Say A 73-year-old man from the region is facing federal charges after allegedly sexually abusing a young girl who was in his care. Albany County resident Daniel Fuino, of Slingerlands, was indicted on multiple counts of sexual exploitation in Albany federal court in November 2023. The US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District announced the charges Tuesday, Nov. 28, following an investigation by FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation Task Force. According to prosecutors, Fuino repeatedly molested the victim between 2022 and May 2023, starting when the girl was 6 years old. He is also accused of t…
Child Porn Arrest: Man Traded Videos, Photos Online In Hudson Valley, DA Says Child Porn Arrest: Man Traded Videos, Photos Online In Hudson Valley, DA Says
Child Porn Arrest: Man Traded Videos, Photos Online In Hudson Valley, DA Says A Hudson Valley man has been accused of trading videos and photos of child pornography over the internet, officials announced.  Orange County resident James Harris, of Goshen, age 71, was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 21 in connection with a child pornography investigation, Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced.  According to Hoovler's office, Harris traded online in child pornography, which included both videos and photos of children who were engaged in sexual activity with adults. This activity was then flagged by the DA's Office's Digital Forensics Unit, whic…
Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn In Hudson Valley After Search Of Home Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn In Hudson Valley After Search Of Home
Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn In Hudson Valley After Search Of Home A 37-year-old man from the region is facing charges after authorities discovered him to be in possession of child pornography, police announced.  Dutchess County resident Daniel Arnold of Holmes, age 37, was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 22 in connection with an investigation into child pornography conducted by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and the US Department of Homeland Security, the Sheriff's Office announced.  According to authorities, Arnold is charged with possessing a sexual performance by a child, a felony.  As part of the investigation leading to Arnold's arr…
Condoms, Rope Found On NY Man Who Blackmailed Minors Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say Condoms, Rope Found On NY Man Who Blackmailed Minors Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say
Condoms, Rope Found On NY Man Who Blackmailed Minors Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say A New York man is in federal custody after allegedly blackmailing several underage girls into sending him sexually explicit images. Long Island resident Brandon Kern, age 29, of Bayport, was arraigned on multiple charges in Central Islip federal court on Wednesday, Nov. 22. An investigation found that between December 2020 and October 2021, he posed as a teenager on Snapchat in order to convince at least six underage girls to send him sexually explicit photos and videos. Some of the victims were as young as 12 years old, according to the FBI. When the girls attempted to block him, Kern al…
Cyber Tip Leads To Child Porn Charges For Capital Region 19-Year-Old Cyber Tip Leads To Child Porn Charges For Capital Region 19-Year-Old
Cyber Tip Leads To Child Porn Charges For Capital Region 19-Year-Old A 19-year-old man from the region is facing charges after he was allegedly caught with child pornography. Malachi Fennicks, of Schenectady, was arrested Friday, Nov. 17, following an investigation by New York State Police. Troopers began investigating Fennicks after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Investigators found him in possession of multiple images consistent with child sexual exploitation, police said. Fennicks is charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child, both felonies. …
Child Porn Arrest: School Therapist From Hudson Valley Coaxed Teen Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say Child Porn Arrest: School Therapist From Hudson Valley Coaxed Teen Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say
Child Porn Arrest: School Therapist From Hudson Valley Coaxed Teen Into Sending Nudes, Feds Say A recently retired high school therapist is facing federal charges after allegedly coaxing an underage teen into sending sexually explicit photos. Orange County resident Michael Meyers, age 62, of Port Jervis, was arraigned in White Plains federal court on Monday, Nov. 20. According to the criminal complaint, an FBI investigation found that Meyers communicated with a 16-year-old minor on the app Discord. During their conversation, he allegedly asked the victim to send him several sexually explicit images and the victim complied. Meyers worked as an occupational therapist at Oceanside High…
Child Porn Arrest: Man Nabbed By State Police In Hudson Valley Following Tip Child Porn Arrest: Man Nabbed By State Police In Hudson Valley Following Tip
Child Porn Arrest: Man Nabbed By State Police In Hudson Valley Following Tip A man was charged with two counts of possession of a sexual performance by a child after New York State Police received a tip. Dutchess County resident Charles Beisser, age 61, of Dover, was arrested on Monday, Nov. 6. According to Trooper AJ Hicks, of the New York State Police, the department received a tip setting off an investigation that determined Beisser was in possession of child pornography. Beisser was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Dover Court on Monday, Nov.13.
Teacher From Northern Westchester Caught With Child Porn, Trying To Hack Social Media: Feds Teacher From Northern Westchester Caught With Child Porn, Trying To Hack Social Media: Feds
Teacher From Northern Westchester Caught With Child Porn, Trying To Hack Social Media: Feds A 27-year-old teacher from Northern Westchester faces decades in prison after authorities discovered his possession of child pornography and an attempt to hack into a student's social media account, officials said. Yorktown resident and teacher Giuseppi Micciari, age 27, was arrested on child pornography charges and presented in White Plains federal court on Wednesday, Nov. 1, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, Micciari's arrest followed a review of his cell phone conducted by authorities that revealed th…
'Special Kind Of Evil': Child Sex Trafficker Who Recruited NY Victims Gets 40 Years In Prison 'Special Kind Of Evil': Child Sex Trafficker Who Recruited NY Victims Gets 40 Years In Prison
'Special Kind Of Evil': Child Sex Trafficker Who Recruited NY Victims Gets 40 Years In Prison A convicted sex trafficker will spend decades in prison for forcing underage girls into prostitution. New York resident Christopher Thomas, age 40, of Colonie in Albany County, was sentenced to 40 years behind bars Monday, Oct. 30, in Albany federal court. According to prosecutors, Thomas coerced numerous vulnerable children and young women, some as young as 16, to engage in sex work for his financial benefit between 2018 and 2020. His crimes spanned New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. In March 2023, following a 5-day trial, jurors convicted Thomas of 16 counts, including s…