A Blasdell man is facing federal charges for his alleged involvement in the receipt and possession of child pornography.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, Robert Michalewski, 54, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash stated that the investigation began after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Homeland Security Investigations traced the suspected child pornography to Michalewski’s residence on South Park Avenue in Blasdell, where a search warrant was executed on May 24, 2019.
Several items were seized, including a desktop computer, cell phone, laptop computers, external hard drives, DVD’s, thumb drives, internal hard drives, VHS tapes, and literature. An initial examination of some of the electronics recovered suspected images and videos of child pornography, some of which depicted prepubescent minors and acts of violence.
Michalewski was previously convicted in February 2018 of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child in Erie County Court and sentenced to a conditional discharge, which remains pending.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing on May 30, 2019, at 1:00 p.m.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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