(WNY News Now) – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a Lackawanna, NY, man was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with enticement, production, and distribution of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life.
Buffalo – Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in December 2021, and January and September 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received information from Snapchat that three Snapchat users associated with the same email address uploaded video files of suspected child pornography to Snapchat servers.
Subsequent investigation by Homeland Security Investigations alleged that all three Snapchat users were Maxwell H. Gawley, 32, of Lackawanna. Investigators recovered chats from the Snapchat accounts, which included conversations sexual is nature between Gawley and a minor, as well as the exchange of child pornography. In April 2023, Homeland Security Investigations executed a federal search warrant at Gawley’s Lackawanna residence and seized computers, cellular telephones, and electronic storage devices.
Gawley made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions.
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