Andrew Yannello, Child Pornography, New York 2024

Buffalo, NY – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, 29-year-old Andrew Yannello from Tonawanda, NY, has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.

On August 23, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at Yannello’s residence after discovering that he had uploaded files of child pornography to Facebook and distributed the images to other Facebook users. During the search, a cell phone, laptop computer, and desktop computer were seized, and all were found to contain images and videos of child pornography.

Some of the images contained prepubescent minors as well as the sexual abuse of an infant or toddler, and depictions of violence. The images were seized as part of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, and the New York State Police.

Yannello’s guilty plea follows a prior conviction under New York law relating to sexual abuse, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine. In September 2014, Yannello was convicted of Attempted Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree in New York State Court and sentenced to serve 10 years’ probation.

In November 2017, following a probation violation, Yannello was sentenced to serve 1 1/3 to 3 years in prison.

Yannello, a prior sex offender, is now facing a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

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