Seneca Falls Man Arrested, Charged With Receipt And Possession 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 Matthew A. Urquhart, 32, of Seneca Falls, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, FBI Special Agents identified the defendant actively trading child pornography from a trailer residence in Seneca Falls. Subsequently, agents, with assistance from the Seneca Falls Police Department and Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, searched two residences that Urquhart occupied during the period in question. Digital items belonging to Urquhart were seized. A forensic analysis determined that the defendant possessed multiple images and videos of child pornography, including images that depicted the sexual abuse of prepubescent minors. 

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Marian W. Payson and was released on conditions.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Seneca Falls Police Department, under the direction of Stuart W. Peenstra, and the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff W. Timothy Luce. 

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.  

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