Anthony Deyoe, a 45-year-old resident of Au Sable Forks, New York, has entered a guilty plea for charges related to child pornography distribution, receipt, and possession. The announcement was made by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Deyoe admitted that in June 2024, he shared child sexual abuse material using an online social networking application on his phone. He also acknowledged that during a December 2024 search by law enforcement, numerous images and videos of such material were found on the same device. His offenses occurred after previous convictions in New York State for Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree in 2008 and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child in 2018.
U.S. Attorney Sarcone emphasized the importance of protecting children: “Protecting children is my top priority. I am thankful to HSI and the NYSP for their partnership and assistance in bringing this defendant to justice. Every child should feel safe, and my office will do whatever it can to make sure that happens.”
Special Agent Erin Keegan from HSI Buffalo stated: “Through his admitted crimes, Anthony Deyoe placed his own abhorrent desires above the safety of child victims. HSI Rouses Point is committed to working with our partners in pursuit of justice for the innocent minor population who are victimized by online perpetrators."
Sentencing is set for November 5, 2025, in Utica, New York. For each count of receipt and distribution, Deyoe faces imprisonment ranging from 15 to 40 years. For possession charges, he could receive between 10 and 20 years. Additional penalties include a potential fine up to $250,000 and supervised release ranging from five years to life. Deyoe will also continue registering as a sex offender.
The investigation involved HSI with support from New York State Police and the Tri-County Special Response Team comprising law enforcement personnel from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin County. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting under Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood aims to tackle child sexual exploitation through collaboration among federal, state, and local resources for apprehending offenders exploiting children via the Internet while rescuing victims.
For further details about Project Safe Childhood visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
