James M. Lajoie, a 30-year-old resident of Appleton, New York, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography after a previous conviction for sexual abuse under New York law. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Lajoie entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango stated that Lajoie was previously convicted in June 2016 for Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and received a sentence of three years in prison followed by ten years of post-release supervision. In August 2023, during a home inspection by a New York Parole Officer, an unauthorized cellular phone was found at Lajoie's residence. Authorities discovered approximately 54 images and four videos containing child pornography on the device, which had been obtained over the internet. Some of the material depicted prepubescent minors and violence against children.
"The plea is the result of an investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello."
Sentencing is set for December 4, 2025 before Judge Arcara.
