U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Gerard Dzierzanowski, a 52-year-old resident of Lockport, New York, has pleaded guilty to the distribution of child pornography. The plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a maximum potential sentence of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, explained that Dzierzanowski began communicating in February 2023 with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl through the Whisper Messenger application. These communications later moved to Kik Messenger. However, Dzierzanowski was actually speaking with an undercover law enforcement officer participating in an investigation targeting users of Whisper and Kik suspected of attempting criminal sexual activities with minors.
Throughout their interactions on Kik Messenger, the undercover officer consistently informed Dzierzanowski that she was 13 years old. Despite this information, Dzierzanowski sent multiple images classified as child pornography and videos showing a prepubescent female engaged in sexually explicit acts with an adult male. He also requested that the supposed 13-year-old engage in sexually explicit behavior with him and sent both a "selfie" and a sexually explicit video of himself.
In August 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at Dzierzanowski's residence, seizing several digital items containing images and videos depicting children involved in sexually explicit conduct.
The investigation leading to this plea was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan's direction.
Sentencing for Dzierzanowski will be determined at a future date.
