BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a five count indictment charging Joseph S. Heleniak, 69, of West Seneca, New York, with transportation and possession of child pornography. Due to a prior conviction, the transportation charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was arrested today, January 24, 2014, following the execution of a search warrant at his residence. According to the indictment, on August 30, 2013, Heleniak sent an e-mail 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 indictment was the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, detectives with the Cheektowaga Police Department under the direction of Chief David Zack, and investigators with the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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