BUFFALO — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Matthew A. Steele, 53, of Elma, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to production and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between July 2008, and July 2010, Steele produced images of child pornography with a minor female (victim) on several occasions from the time she was approximately nine years old until she was approximately 12 years old. Some of the images were distributed by Steele to other unknown individuals. On March 11, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at his residence, seizing two electronic devices. A forensic review of the devices recovered numerous sexually explicit images of the victim created by Steele. In addition, 45 images of child pornography, not involving the victim, that Steele obtained over the internet were recovered. Some of the images included prepubescent minors and depicted violence against children.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
