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Press Release

Substitute Teacher And Coach Arrested And Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Steven Gasiorek, 33, of Cheektowaga, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Moellering, who is handling the case, state that according to the complaint, on April 10, 2019, the Fauquier County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office contacted the Cheektowaga Police Department regarding a 14 year-old-male from Virginia (Victim 1) who had been communicating through Instagram with a person utilizing Instagram account LEXIGURL1015. Victim 1, who was under the impression that LEXIGURL1015 was a teenage girl from California, sent pornographic images of himself to the account.

Subsequent investigation determined that the account belonged to the defendant, who is a substitute teacher and coach at a local high school.  A search warrant was executed at the defendant’s Lehigh Street residence this morning. Investigators seized a laptop computer that contains several images constituting child pornography. Further investigation suggests that Gasiorek has been engaged in this sort of activity for several years.

The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and will be released on conditions.

Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-843-1616.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack.

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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Updated April 16, 2019

Topic
Project Safe Childhood