Jacob Netzel, a 33-year-old resident of Oneida, New York, pled guilty on April 23 to federal charges of distribution and possession of child pornography in Syracuse.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the exploitation of children online. Officials said that Netzel used social networking, messaging, and file-sharing applications from April 2022 through November 2024 to distribute and receive child pornography. In May 2023, he sent multiple videos depicting child sexual abuse to an undercover officer whom he believed was a 12-year-old girl. He also participated in group chats trading similar material and knowingly possessed such content on his cell phone when it was seized by police.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “This defendant’s actions were truly vile. He traded videos and images with other sick individuals showing the sexual abuse of our society’s most vulnerable members: children. My Office is grateful for the constant and aggressive pursuit of these most dangerous people by HSI, the NYSP, and all our law enforcement partners who are committed to stopping these violent crimes.”
Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Field Office, said: “Jacob Netzel used social media and file sharing platforms to trade and collect child sexual abuse material and send graphic videos he believed were going to a 12-year-old girl. Fortunately, law enforcement intercepted his predatory conduct before greater harm could occur. HSI Syracuse, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, and the New York State Police remain committed to protecting our community and removing those that pose a serious threat to children.” Superintendent Steven G. James added: “Crimes involving the exploitation of children are among the most disturbing we investigate, and they will not be tolerated... The New York State Police remains committed to aggressively pursuing individuals who engage in this type of criminal behavior...”
Netzel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for distribution with a maximum possible sentence on each charge reaching twenty years as well as fines up to $250,000 per count; sentencing is scheduled for August 18 before United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York supports community wellness by coordinating law enforcement initiatives aimed at deterring crime while fostering public trust according to its official website. The office maintains facilities in Albany, Binghamton, Plattsburgh, and Syracuse according to its official website, serves as part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website, employs about fifty Assistant United States Attorneys along with more than fifty support staff according to its official website, prosecutes federal criminal cases while defending civil matters on behalf of the government according to its official website, covers thirty-two counties across northern and central New York with approximately three point four million residents over thirty thousand square miles according to its official website, handles federal prosecutions as well as civil litigation for victims or witnesses throughout this region according to its official website.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative focused on combating child sexual exploitation through collaboration between federal agencies.
