Saratoga Springs man charged with child pornography offenses

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged Friday with receipt and possession of child pornography, federal prosecutors announced.

Conner Buskey had previously been arrested by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and charged with raping a minor victim who was known to him.

Buskey’s phone was seized at the time of his arrest, and images and videos of child sexual abuse material were found, leading to the federal charges.

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Buskey appeared in federal court Friday afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista and was ordered remanded to custody.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said Buskey was arrested and charged in state court with raping a minor, but was inexplicably released on bail.

“He is a danger to the community who should be detained, which is why my office has charged him,” Sarcone said.

Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the HSI Buffalo Field Office, said Buskey is accused of abhorrent crimes against an innocent child.

The charge of receipt of child pornography carries a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Each charge carries a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.

Buskey would also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

HSI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.