Joshua Vandegrift, Possession Of Child Pornography, New York 2019

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Attempted Receipt Of Child Pornography.

A 51-year-old Rochester man has pleaded guilty to attempted receipt of child pornography. Joshua Vandegrift, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Elizabeth A. Wolford to the charge, which carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

According to authorities, Vandegrift was arrested by the Oswego County Sheriff's Office after engaging a minor in sexually explicit conversations via Facebook. Following an extensive investigation, Sheriff's Office investigators discovered three additional minor victims of Vandegrift. The victims were located and identified by members of the FBI, Corning Office. The victims included a 12-year-old female, two 13-year-old females, and a 17-year-old female.

In each of the conversations, the defendant sent the victims sexually explicit images and videos of himself, and attempted to induce the victims to send him nude photographs in return. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Oswego County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Don Hilton; the Chemung County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Acting Sheriff William A. Schrom; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Corning Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.

Vandegrift's sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2019, before Judge Wolford. The defendant, who was arrested in connection with the case, faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who stated that the defendant's actions were a serious offense against the victims. The investigation and prosecution of child pornography cases are a top priority for law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/rochester-man-pleads-guilty-possession-child-pornography-2