U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced that Christopher Gostick, a 30-year-old resident of Lancaster, New York, has been sentenced to 292 months in prison for the receipt of child pornography. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A.C. Penrose, who managed the case, provided details about the incidents leading to Gostick's conviction. On June 9 and 10, 2023, Gostick attended a sleepover birthday party where he kissed a nine-year-old minor victim on the lips. This incident prompted the minor's parents to contact law enforcement officers, who subsequently confiscated cellular phones and a tablet belonging to Gostick.

Upon reviewing one of the cellphones, authorities discovered a video recorded without consent of the minor using the bathroom. Further investigation revealed another cellphone containing a screen recording of a Snapchat conversation between Gostick and another minor victim aged ten at that time. During this conversation, Gostick posed as an eleven-year-old female and instructed the second minor to send him sexually explicit content.

The examination of Gostick’s devices also uncovered approximately 613 images and two videos depicting child pornography. Prior to these charges, in August 2019, Gostick had been convicted on state charges related to attempted possession of sexual performance by a child under sixteen.

The investigation leading to this sentencing was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan and the Buffalo Police Department led by Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.