Brandon West, Child Pornography, New York 2016

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A disturbing case of child exploitation came to a head yesterday as 39-year-old Brandon West, of Lyons, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, a $250,000 fine or both.

The investigation began when a child disclosed sexual contact by the defendant. Wayne County Child Protective Services contacted the New York State Police, who started a criminal investigation. Upon learning that the defendant had child pornography on a cellphone and an online email account, State Police requested assistance from Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Unit.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, West possessed more than 1,500 images of children, many under the age of 12, being raped. Field interviews matched a sexually explicit photo recovered from the defendant’s cell phone to a local five-year-old child known to the defendant.

This is not West’s first conviction related to child abuse. In 2005, he was convicted in Wayne County of Sexual Abuse, First Degree, related to having sexual contact with an eight-year-old child. West is a Level II Sex Offender.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation by Investigators from the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Craig Hanesworth, and Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.

West is scheduled to be sentenced on September 8, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Elizabeth Wolford. The community can only hope that justice will be served in this heinous case.

As the investigation unfolds, Grimy Times will continue to bring you updates on this developing story.

Related Federal Cases