(WNY News Now) – 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.
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