U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Richard Greer, a 58-year-old resident of Lockport, NY, has been sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release. This decision was made by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo following Greer’s conviction for possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who managed the case, explained that between April 2019 and August 14, 2023, Greer used Skype to interact with individuals involved in a child-sex-trafficking network based in the Philippines. Throughout this period, he exchanged around 31,000 messages, made 3,099 calls, and shared 213 media files with these traffickers. Their conversations included discussions about the sale of live-streamed child pornography depictions. In some instances, Greer received images showing children engaged in sexual activities and often paid for the materials he obtained.
In December 2023, federal agents executed a search warrant at Greer’s home and seized multiple electronic devices including a laptop and thumb drive. Upon examination of these devices, authorities discovered over 4,400 images and 44 video files on the laptop as well as approximately 13,000 images and 900 videos on the thumb drive depicting child pornography. Some content showed violence against children or sexual abuse or exploitation of infants or toddlers.
The investigation leading to this sentencing was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under the leadership of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
