Buffalo, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Santos Gonzalez, 72, of Orchard Park, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that on April 3, 2024, New York State Parole conducted a home visit at the residence of Gonzalez, who is currently on parole for convictions in March 1981 of Attempted Murder, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Burglary, and Attempted Assault. A cursory examination of Gonzalez’s cell phone recovered what appeared to be CSAM. The phone was then turned over the Homeland Security Investigations. Further examination recovered several self-produced videos depicting minor females in public settings. The videos abruptly cut off when the kids being recorded noticed Gonzalez recording them. A self-produced video inside a residence depicting two minor females, one of whom has an Order of Protection against Gonzalez, was also found. Another eight self-produced videos appear to show Gonzalez sexually abusing a minor female.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Edward Baker.
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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