BUFFALO, NY — A Chautauqua County man pleaded guilty Thursday to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor.
Jose Perez, 41, of Celeron, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that a search warrant was executed at Perez’s residence on Dec. 15, 2022, after he uploaded a child pornography file to Dropbox, an electronic service provider that offers internet-based file storage services.
During the search, Perez’s cell phone was seized.
A subsequent examination of the phone revealed approximately three images and one video of child pornography.
Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors less than 12 years old engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Perez also admitted that, on two or more occasions, he engaged in the sexual abuse, exploitation, and attempted sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 22 before Judge Vilardo.
