Level 1 Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charge

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Zachary Feeterman, 28, of Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior sex offense conviction, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that in March 2016, Feeterman was convicted of attempted possession of a sexual performance by a child less than 16 years of age in New York State Court. On August 8, 2019, Erie County Probation Officers conducted a home inspection at Feeterman’s residence and found an unauthorized cell phone in his possession. A forensic analysis recovered approximately 375 images of child pornography on the cell phone, and 4,670 images and videos of child pornography in a cloud storage account. Some images depicted prepubescent minors as well as violence against children.

The plea is the result of an investigation by members the Erie County Probation Department, under the direction of Commissioner Michelle Olszowy; the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James P. Stauffiger. 

Sentencing is scheduled for November 11, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.