A Chautauqua County resident has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. Jose Perez, 41, of Celeron, New York, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Perez’s home on December 15, 2022. This action followed Perez uploading a child pornography file to Dropbox, an internet-based file storage service. During the search, authorities seized Perez’s cell phone and later found approximately three images and one video of child pornography on the device. Some of these files showed prepubescent minors under the age of 12 involved in sexually explicit conduct.
Perez also admitted that he engaged in sexual abuse, exploitation, and attempted sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor on two or more occasions.
The investigation was conducted by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff James Quattrone; Homeland Security Investigations overseen by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan; and the Jamestown Police Department headed by Chief Timothy Jackson.
Sentencing is set for June 22, 2026, before Judge Vilardo.
