BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment charging Tristin Pearson, 26, of Erie, PA, with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Cantil, who is handling the case, stated that between January 1 and March 27, 2018, Pearson coerced a minor female victim to engage in a sexual relationship. Pearson used his cellular telephone to record videos of their sexual acts and then sent the recorded videos to others without the victim’s knowledge.
The defendant was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and released on conditions.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Stansbury.
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, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
