Brandon Hayward, Possession of Child Pornography, New York 2021

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Brandon Hayward, a 41-year-old registered sex offender from Canandaigua, New York, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Hayward's guilty plea comes after a prior conviction for sexual abuse in 2000 and follows a November 2021 search warrant executed at his Canandaigua apartment, which seized several digital devices containing child pornography.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi stated that the digital devices were initially forensically analyzed for firearms crimes but were found to contain child pornography, including videos that Hayward produced via Skype in 2017 involving a 16-year-old minor from another state.

The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2024, before Judge Siragusa.

Mandatory facts: Defendant/Respondent: Brandon Hayward; Criminal Charges: Possession of child pornography; City and State: Rochester, New York; Exact Date: November 2021; Sentence or Outcome: Pleaded guilty, faces 10-20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/registered-sex-offender-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography-0