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Press Release

Tonawanda Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing 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 Dakkar Young, 23, of Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Lamarque, who is handling the case, stated that in May 2017, the defendant uploaded eight pictures containing child pornography onto a social networking site. In December 2017, a search warrant was executed at the Young’s home and various electronics were seized. A forensic examination of the defendant’s cell phone revealed images of child pornography as well as videos of Young sexually abusing a child under the age of 16. As part of the plea, the defendant admitted to producing child pornography of the child.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police ICAC Task Force, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy, and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin P. Lyons.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 27, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.

Updated April 16, 2018