The New York State Police, today, announced the arrest of five individuals on child porn-related charges.
While the five people face similar charges and were all arrested within just five days (Dec. 8-12), NYSP Troop A Public Information Officer, Trooper James O’Callaghan, notes that “it doesn’t mean, by any means that these people were working together.”
O’Callaghan said that the Troop A Computer Crimes Unit worked in conjunction with several agencies to make the arrests.
“The mechanisms for detecting and identifying people for crimes against children have gotten better,” he said.
Those charged include:
Domenic A. Licata, 44 of West Seneca, NY for Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (E Felony). He was charged on Dec. 9 and arraigned in Town of West Seneca Court.
Leonard J. Sawyer, 34 of Cheektowaga, NY for Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony) and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (E Felony). He was charged on Dec. 12 and arraigned in Town of Cheektowaga Court.
Scott K. Wood Jr., 25 of Eden, NY for Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (E Felony). He was charged Dec. 9 and arraigned in Town of Evans Court.
Matthew J. Koons, 24 of Kenmore, NY for Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony) and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (E Felony). He was charged Dec. 11 and arraigned in Town of Amherst Court.
Daniel P. Johnson, 41 of North Tonawanda, NY for Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (E Felony). He was charged Dec. 8 and arraigned in North Tonawanda Court.
Depending on the specific charges, if convicted each of the five charged could face between one to seven years in prison, O’Callaghan said.
“Sometimes they possess sexual performance of a child, sometimes it’s not only possession, it’s promoting. Obviously, promoting is a higher felony. They are very serious charges,” O’Callaghan said.
“We have a lot of them going on. We’ve made a lot of requests,” he said, adding that “there’s more to come … We’re making these arrests and bringing these people to justice.”
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