ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Steven Choi, 42, formerly an English teacher at Holley Central School District, will spend the next 15 years under supervised release after receiving a time-served sentence for possessing horrific child pornography. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, barely registers as justice for the vile material Choi consumed.
Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced the sentencing today, the result of a chilling investigation by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force. The task force, comprised of agents from multiple agencies, flagged Choi’s online activity, leading to a forensic examination of his computer. What they found wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment; it was a trove of sexually explicit photographs depicting prepubescent girls – a digital dungeon of abuse.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who prosecuted the case, detailed the sickening discovery. The investigation revealed Choi wasn’t a passive observer, but an active participant in the demand for this depraved content. While Choi is no longer employed by the Holley Central School District, the damage to the community and, most importantly, to the victims depicted in the images is immeasurable. Time served feels like a slap on the wrist for the harm he sought out.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen, worked tirelessly on this case. The task force isn’t just the FBI, either. It’s a coalition of law enforcement including the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Rochester Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, and the Greece Police Department. These agencies are on the front lines, battling the predators who prey on the most vulnerable.
Choi’s 15 years of supervised release should, theoretically, limit his access to future victims. But supervision isn’t a cure. It’s a monitoring system, a band-aid on a gaping wound. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the effectiveness – or lack thereof – of Choi’s reintegration into society. The question remains: is 15 years of supervision enough to ensure he never again seeks out this kind of material?
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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