Former New York State Corrections Officer Going To Prison For Five Years On Child Pornography Conviction

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Joseph Chojnacki, 27, of Cheektowaga, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who handled the case, stated that after receiving a tip of suspected child pornography from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Homeland Security Investigations traced the suspected child pornography to the defendant, a New York State Corrections Officer. 

On May 9, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Chojnacki’s Louis Street residence. Investigators seized various computers, electronic devices, and electronic media. A total of approximately 3,814 images and 138 videos of child pornography were discovered on the defendant's electronic devices. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors less than 12 years old, as well as sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.