Palmyra Man Pleads Guilty To Production Of Child Pornography

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

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that David Gfeller, 35, of Palmyra, NY, pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, a lifetime period of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that on February 12, 2019, Homeland Security Investigations in Buffalo received information, from an international law enforcement network, that child pornography had been recovered by authorities in various countries, including Germany, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and France, which had possibly originated in Western New York. The child pornography depicted a prepubescent minor.

With assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Homeland Security Special Agents used data associated with the images to locate the residence where the images were produced. The victim was located. On March 1, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and arrested Gfeller for producing the child pornography.   

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the New York State Police. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May 4, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Geraci.

# # # #