Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charge

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Gary Stopani, 28, of Rochester NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possessing and accessing with intent to view child pornography involving prepubescent minors. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that on October 8, 2020, investigators seized a laptop, two hard drives, and two cellular telephones from the defendant, which contained images and videos of child pornography. In total, Stopani's electronic devices contained more than 600 images and/or videos of child pornography. Some of the images included involved prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and images of violence.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Andrew P. Forsythe.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 15, 2021, at 9:15 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.

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