U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced the sentencing of John Stuart, a 37-year-old resident of Ransomville, NY. Stuart was convicted of possessing child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and will serve 36 months in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring explained that the case began in August 2019 when the FBI received information about an online user accessing child sexual abuse material through a website on the Tor network in May 2019. Investigators traced the IP address back to Stuart. A search warrant executed at his residence in October 2020 led to the seizure of multiple electronic devices, including two laptops, a cell phone, a hard drive, and a desktop computer tower.
Forensic analysis revealed approximately 8,000 videos and around 2,000 images of child pornography on one laptop, with additional content found on other devices: approximately 150 images and one video on the second laptop; around 90 images and 150 videos on the cell phone; and approximately 90 images and two videos on the hard drive. Some materials depicted violence against children.
During the search, law enforcement also discovered live marijuana plants and over a pound of dried marijuana ready for use. Stuart admitted to being a chronic marijuana user. Additionally, he was found with three firearms despite being legally prohibited from owning them due to his status as a controlled substance user.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia’s direction and the Cheektowaga Police Department led by Chief Brian Coons.
