A Tonawanda man has been brought to justice for his disgusting crimes against a minor. David Rubel, 40, of Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography in a Buffalo courtroom.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins stated that in August 2020, a parent filed a report with the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, alleging that Rubel had been texting his daughter, who recently turned 16 years-old (Victim), and that some of the texts he observed were sexual in nature.
The parent observed inappropriate images on his daughter’s cell phone within a text thread between the Victim and Rubel. With the consent of the Victim’s father, an investigator searched the cell phone and observed the text messages, some of which included sexual images. Investigators also searched Rubel’s cell phone and recovered sexual images, including two videos, that were also found on the Victim’s cell phone, within the string of text messages between Rubel and the Victim.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 1, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
David Rubel’s actions demonstrate a disgusting disregard for the well-being of a minor. His guilty plea is a step towards justice, but the true test will be in the court’s sentencing decision.
Contact: Barbara Burns, PHONE: (716) 843-5817, FAX #: (716) 551-3051
Related Federal Cases
- David Rubel, Child Pornography Production, New York · New York
- Roland Kyzer, Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography, New York · New York
- James Johnson, Producing Child Pornography, New York NY, 2023 · Alabama
- David Earl Taylor, Produced Child Pornography, Bristol TN, 2016 · Tennessee
- David D. Lerssen Jr, Child Pornography Distribution, MO 2023 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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