Buffalo Man Arrested, Charged with Possession of Child Pornography

       BUFFALO, N.Y - - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jason Zaifert, 33, of Buffalo, N.Y., was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at defendant’s residence during which they seized various electronic items. Among the items seized, a computer that contained images of child pornography.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is being detained.

The arrest is the culmination of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge.

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.