U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman | U.S. Department of Justice
Taykwun Smoaks, a 32-year-old resident of Albany, New York, has been sentenced to 87 months in prison for receiving child pornography. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Smoaks had previously pleaded guilty to charges that between February and March 2023, he received and possessed images and videos of child pornography on his computer and external hard drive. He admitted to downloading over 600 videos and 22,000 still images depicting prepubescent minors, sadistic and masochistic conduct, as well as the sexual abuse of toddlers and infants.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci imposed a sentence that includes a 15-year term of supervised release following incarceration. Smoaks is also required to pay $45,000 in restitution—$3,000 to each of the 15 victims—and forfeit the electronic devices used in committing the offense. Upon release from prison, he will be mandated to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by HSI and NYSP with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child exploitation through federal, state, and local collaboration. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
