Ontario County Man Pleads Guilty To Production Of Child Pornography And Methamphetamine Conspiracy

CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Timothy Wright, 33, of Phelps, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. Wright also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa M. Marangola and Katelyn M. Hartford, who are handling the case, stated that in July 2019, Snapchat reported a cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving a Snapchat subscriber who uploaded two files of suspected child pornography. A subsequent investigation determined that the Snapchat subscriber was Timothy Wright. On May 18, 2020, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at Wright’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices, including a cell phone, a laptop, and a hard drive. A forensic analysis of the electronic devices uncovered approximately 8,462 images and video files of child pornography. These included a video and images of Wright sexually abusing a minor child.  

On July 29, 2020, Wright provided methamphetamine to his wife and co-defendant Alicia Wright who then sold the methamphetamine to an undercover police officer. After the controlled purchase was complete, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Wrights’ residence on Bear Street in Phelps, NY. Investigators recovered approximately $10,000 in United States currency, approximately 64 grams of methamphetamine, and a digital scale. Alicia Wright was charged and convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 21, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci. 

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