Mahkya Searles, Child Pornography, New York 2019

Tioga County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – A disturbing case of child pornography has come to light in Tioga County, New York. Mahkya Searles, 23, of Tioga County, pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the guilty plea, Searles admitted to searching for and downloading child pornography from the Internet from April 2018 to March 10, 2019. On March 20, 2019, he possessed more than 30 images of child pornography on his phone, some of which involved prepubescent minors.

The charges against Searles include receipt and possession of child pornography, which carries a sentence of between 5 and 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Upon release from imprisonment, Searles must also register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the Tioga County Sheriff’s Department, Athens Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Grabowski as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a federal initiative that marshals resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Mahkya Searles will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal’s Service pending sentencing by Senior United States District Judge Hon. Thomas J. McAvoy on September 26, 2019.

The disturbing nature of this case highlights the importance of continued efforts to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates on any developments.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/tioga-county-man-pleads-guilty-receipt-and-possession-child-pornography