BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Andrew Vallone, 44, of Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to produce child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that according to the criminal complaint, an individual contacted the Town of Tonawanda Police Department after discovering a video depicting a child (Victim) wearing only a pair of underwear on a desktop computer belonging to the defendant. On January 23, 2021, the Tonawanda Police contacted the FBI and further investigation determined that Vallone had secreted a camera in a location which allowed him surreptitiously to film the Victim. The MicroSD card recovered from that hidden camera contained numerous images which depicted the Victim in various states of undress. Additionally, on January 29, 2021, the New York State Police contacted investigators regarding an email that Vallone sent to a mental health counselor. In the email, the defendant stated that he liked to look at younger girls and “I need help.”
The defendant will make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James P. Stauffiger.
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.