A 68-year-old West Seneca resident has been charged with a serious crime after allegedly receiving and distributing child pornography.
According to U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., Joseph S. Heleniak was charged by criminal complaint with receipt of child pornography, a crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a fine of $250,000 or both.
The alleged crime took place on August 30, 2013, when Heleniak sent an email containing three image files of child pornography. The images depicted female children under the age of 16 engaging in sexual activities with adult males.
The arrest was the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006.
Heleniak was arrested on January 24, 2014, after a search warrant was executed at his residence. He made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott and is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 28th at 10:00 a.m.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango is handling the case, which highlights the importance of the federal government’s efforts to combat child exploitation and abuse. The investigation and arrest of Heleniak demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to protecting children from predators.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and Heleniak is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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