Pennsylvania Man Arrested, Charged With Production Of Child Pornogrphy

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Thomas Gillespie, 41, of East Brady, PA, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr.,  who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in July and August of 2014, the defendant contacted the 10 year old victim through social media. Gillespie asked the victim to take and send him sexually explicit photos and videos. During the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s East Brady residence, law enforcement officers recovered three computer hard drives. A forensic analysis of the hard drives recovered over 100 photos and videos of the victim and other victims, known and unknown to law enforcement.

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

The complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force which includes the Buffalo Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department, and Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.

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.