Taykwun Smoaks, Receipt of Child Pornography, New York 2023

ALBANY, NEW YORK – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Taykwun Smoaks, a 32-year-old man from Albany, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography. The shocking admission comes after a thorough investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the New York State Police.

According to court documents, from February to March 2023, Smoaks received and possessed images and videos of child pornography on his computer and external hard drive. The depraved content included images of prepubescent minors, sadistic and masochistic conduct, and the sexual abuse of toddlers.

At sentencing scheduled before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci on December 16, 2024, Smoaks faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Furthermore, Smoaks may be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his offenses and forfeit the devices used in the offenses.

In addition to his prison sentence, Smoaks will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. The consequences of his actions are severe, and the community is left to wonder how such heinous crimes can occur in their midst.

HSI and the State Police investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a comprehensive effort launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the sexual exploitation of children.

Launched in May 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a critical initiative aimed at marshaling federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

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