Saratoga County Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Peter Farnum, age 41, of Ballston Lake, New York, appeared today in federal court on charges that he received and possessed child pornography.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The complaint filed against Farnum alleges that between October 2015 and April 2016, he used a home computer to download and store thousands of files containing child pornography.

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted of all charges, Farnum faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, and a maximum $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, with the assistance of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Giovannetti.