Java Center man charged with possession of child pornography

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Patrick Kerwin, 43, of Java Center, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 2, 2026, the FBI was alerted by the New York State Police (NYSP) regarding an investigation of Kerwin for suspected possession of child pornography, which began in 2022 based on a CyberTip Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In November 2025, the NYSP also learned that the Lancaster Police Department arrested and charged Kerwin with violations of New York State Penal Law.

The arrest stemmed from a tip received from a civilian child safety advocacy group that indicated a group member communicated with Kerwin. Based upon the information provided by the group, Kerwin purportedly believed that he communicated with a minor to meet her for sex. On November 19, 2025, Lancaster Police encountered Kerwin at a local restaurant, at which time he was arrested, and his cell phone was seized. A preliminary review of the cell phone recovered several sexually explicit images and videos of underage females.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Gummo, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.

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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