CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Kenneth Ritchie, 31, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that on June 16, 2021, Ritchie engaged in sexually explicit conduct with a minor victim and used a cellular telephone to produce visual depictions of the conduct. The visual depictions were located in image files saved on Ritchie’s cell phone.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 24, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.
# # # #