Nicholas Sherlock, a 33-year-old resident of Watervliet, New York, has been indicted and ordered detained on charges of receiving child pornography. The indictment alleges that Sherlock received multiple graphic images and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct through a social media application between August 2024 and May 2025.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the case: “As alleged, Sherlock received child sexual abuse material over the internet. This is unfortunately a type of crime that is far too common. Every day we work hard to rid our communities of people who have a sexual interest in children. All such people belong in prison.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli also addressed the allegations: “The allegations against Mr. Sherlock are repulsive, and the FBI is committed to dedicating every resource necessary to investigate these disturbing cases involving horrific images of our most vulnerable.”
Sherlock faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted, with a mandatory minimum term of five years. He could also be fined up to $250,000 and would be subject to supervised release for at least five years and up to life. If released from prison, he would be required to register as a sex offender.
The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). The program coordinates federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals exploiting children online while working to identify and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
