Rochester Man Arrested On Multiple Child Pornography Charges, Including Production

CONTACT: Barbara Burns            
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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Nathan Follett, 35, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production, possession, receipt, and distribution of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in August 2021, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office received a report that Follett was in possession of sexual images of 17 and 14-year-old minors and that Follett also admitted to having sex with a minor without her consent. Subsequent investigation determined that Follett communicated on social media, including Snapchat, with multiple minor girls. Between 2016 and December 2021, Follett is suspected of coercing a total of 11 victims to send naked images to him. 

On December 16, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Follett’s residence and several digital devices were seized, including two cell phones and two computers. A bag of suspected cocaine was also seized. A forensic review of the electronic devices recovered approximately 106 images and 47 videos of child pornography.

Follett made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and was detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   

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