FEDS: Man from Elma, NY, faces up to 30 years in prison for child abuse and exploitation

From the US Attorney,

BUFFALO, NY – United States Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Matthew A. Steele, age 53, of Elma, NY, on charges of producing, distributing and possessing child pornography. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between July 2008 and July 2012, Steele forced a minor victim to perform sexually explicit acts on more than one occasion in order to create a visual image. Steele then distributed some of the images he created. In addition, Steele possessed images of a prepubescent minor on a hard drive.

Steele was arraigned and detained today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy.

The charges are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the Great Falls, Montana Police Department, led by Police Chief Jeff Newton.

The fact that a defendant is accused of a crime constitutes merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.