Cohoes Man Charged With Producing Child Pornography

ALBANY, NEW YORK – George Muzio, Jr., age 36, of Cohoes, New York, was arraigned Friday on a superseding indictment charging him with the production of child pornography. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The superseding indictment alleges that in 2014 and 2015, Muzio sexually exploited two child victims, ages 11 and 13, for the purposes of producing child pornography.  Muzio also faces charges of distributing and possessing child pornography, for which he was originally indicted in February 2017.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

At a detention hearing on Friday, United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart ordered Muzio detained pending trial. 

If convicted of producing child pornography, Muzio faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison per count of conviction.  If convicted of distributing child pornography, Muzio faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison per count.   The Court may also impose a fine of up to $250,000, and must impose a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

If convicted, Muzio would also be required to register as a sex offender.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Giovannetti.

This case is prosecuted as a part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.