U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that a federal grand jury indicted Jose Perez, a 40-year-old resident of Celeron, New York, on charges related to child pornography. Perez faces allegations of attempted production and possession of child pornography, which could lead to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to 80 years if convicted. Additionally, he may face fines reaching $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff provided details from the indictment and a previous criminal complaint stating that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a tip-off from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children on September 3, 2022. The tip alleged that Perez uploaded a file suspected to contain child pornography. Following this information, HSI executed a search warrant at Perez's home on December 15, 2022.
During the search, authorities seized several electronic devices including computers, a cell phone, and storage devices such as a thumb drive. The thumb drive reportedly contained two video files appearing to have been recorded by a hidden camera in Perez’s bathroom. One video showed an unaware minor victim who was naked. The device also held approximately 17,839 image files seemingly captured from the same camera setup showing similar content involving the minor victim.
Further evidence of child pornography was allegedly discovered on Perez’s cell phone.
The investigation leading to these charges involved collaboration between the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff James Quattrone and Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
It is important to note that these charges are accusations at this stage; Jose Perez remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
