CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Matthew Shulman, 36, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempted production of child pornography, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography following a previous conviction for possessing child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 25 years in prison, a maximum of 50 years, lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, between May 2021, and June 2022, Shulman engaged in sexually explicit online communications with an undercover New York State Police Investigator that he believed was an 11-year-old girl. During these conversations, Shulman asked the girl to produce and send images to him and he attempted to persuade the girl to meet him for sex. On June 7, 2022, the NYSP and Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant at Shulman’s residence at which time Shulman was taken into custody. Shulman was previously convicted of possessing child pornography in Monroe County Court in June 2016 and is a registered sex offender.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and is being held without bail.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Eugene Staniszewski and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
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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