ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael R. Bush, 48, of Fort Edward, New York, has admitted to a sickening crime. The man pled guilty today to three counts of receiving child pornography, bringing him one step closer to facing justice for his depraved actions.
The announcement came from United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The details are grim: in October 2016, Bush used his phone to download over 20 image files depicting the sexual abuse of children – some as young as 3 years old. This wasn’t a fleeting glance; it was deliberate acquisition of horrific material.
Bush has been cooling his heels in custody since his arrest on October 21, 2016, and now faces a likely lengthy prison sentence. He is scheduled to appear before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on August 9, 2017, for sentencing. The potential penalties are severe: at least 5 years, but potentially up to 20 years behind bars. Beyond that, he’s looking at at least 5 years – and potentially a lifetime – of post-imprisonment supervised release, along with a maximum fine of $250,000.
This isn’t just about prison time. Upon release, Bush will be required to register as a sex offender, a permanent marker of his crime. Sentencing will be determined by Judge D’Agostino, taking into account federal statutes, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and the specifics of this particularly vile case.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the FBI, with crucial support from the New York State Police and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Giovannetti is prosecuting the case, ensuring Bush answers for his actions. This wasn’t a lone pursuit; it was a coordinated takedown of a predator.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative focused on protecting children from online exploitation. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the project aims to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who prey on children online, and to rescue the victims. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at http://www.justice.gov/psc/. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the final sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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