Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty To Child Pornogrphy Charge

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that John Tarell Grayson, 35, of Erie, PA, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Counihan, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant requested and received sexually explicit pictures from a child who had not yet reached the age of 18.  The pictures were transmitted to the defendant via text message picture attachments on a cellular telephone.         

The plea is the culmination of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero and the Dunkirk Police Department, under the direction of Chief David ortolano.       

Sentencing is scheduled for June 15, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.