Troy Man Joshua C. Lozo Charged with Child Pornography Offenses

Joshua C. Lozo, 35, of Troy, New York, is behind bars and charged with receiving and possessing child pornography after a years-long digital trail led federal agents to his doorstep. Arrested on December 15, 2016, Lozo was ordered held without bail by a federal magistrate judge following a court appearance in Albany.

U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and FBI Albany Division Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale confirmed the charges, which stem from an investigation into Lozo’s use of peer-to-peer file-sharing software. According to the criminal complaint, between December 15, 2011, and December 15, 2016, Lozo downloaded multiple videos containing child pornography using the Internet.

The complaint lays out a pattern of deliberate, repeated access to illegal material. Federal investigators say Lozo actively sought out and retained explicit content involving minors through decentralized networks designed to evade detection. Authorities recovered digital evidence linking him directly to the downloads.

On December 21, 2016, Lozo appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered him detained pending trial. The judge cited potential risk to the community and flight risk as reasons for the decision. Lozo remains in federal custody as the case moves forward.

If convicted on the charge of receiving child pornography, Lozo faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in federal prison. A conviction for possession carries a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars. Both charges carry fines up to $250,000, mandatory sex offender registration, and a term of supervised release ranging from 5 years to life.

The case is being jointly investigated by the FBI and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss. The charges are allegations; under federal law, Lozo is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.