BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shawn Kostelny, 55, of Blasdell, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that the between June 19 and June 23, 2020, a Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent, who was engaged in a Peer-to-Peer investigation online, downloaded 1,346 files of suspected child pornography from an IP address traced to the defendant.
On Aug. 14, 2020, HSI Special Agents executed a search warrant at Kostelny’s residence and seized 49 electronic devices, including a laptop and hard drive. Forensic analysis of the 49 seized items recovered 8,018 images and 686 videos of suspected child pornography. Some of the images depicted children as young as three-years-old subjected to sexually explicit situations.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
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. #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
