Damian Williams, the USA Lawyer for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Cost of the New York Discipline Workplace of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), introduced at present the arrest of JUSTIN HEATH SMITH, an grownup movie actor who makes use of the stage identify “Austin Wolf.” SMITH is charged with sending and receiving a whole lot of movies of kid pornography by way of the Telegram utility. These movies depicted kids as younger as infants, together with a video displaying a 10-year-old baby sure and raped. Along with sharing baby pornography by way of Telegram, SMITH can be charged with possessing a whole lot of further movies containing baby pornography in his Manhattan residence. SMITH can be introduced later at present earlier than U.S. Justice of the Peace Decide Robyn F. Tarnofsky in Manhattan federal courtroom.
U.S. Lawyer Damian Williams mentioned: “As alleged, Justin Heath Smith obtained and distributed a whole lot of recordings containing baby pornography, together with a ghastly video displaying a younger baby sure, overwhelmed, and raped. Our investigation into Smith is ongoing, and we urge anybody with details about Smith’s conduct to name the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Along with our regulation enforcement companions, we are going to relentlessly pursue these predators who victimize kids and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the regulation.”
FBI Assistant Director in Cost James Smith mentioned: “I wish to make it clear: those that distribute baby sexual abuse pictures prey upon probably the most susceptible in our society. Every picture is against the law scene, leaving lasting scars on harmless victims. The FBI is relentless in our pursuit of those perpetrators. We are going to monitor them down, arrest them, and guarantee they face justice for the hurt they trigger.”
In accordance with the allegations contained within the Criticism:[1]
Between March 24 and March 28, 2024, SMITH, utilizing an nameless Telegram account, exchanged a whole lot of movies containing baby pornography with one other particular person whose telephone was later seized and searched by the FBI pursuant to a search warrant.
An undercover FBI agent subsequently started a dialog with SMITH’s nameless Telegram account. In the midst of these conversations, SMITH revealed particulars that confirmed his id.
On April 21, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at SMITH’s Manhattan residence, which revealed an SD card with a whole lot of movies containing baby pornography.
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SMITH, 43, of New York, New York, is charged with one rely of distribution and receipt of kid pornography, which carries a compulsory minimal sentence of 5 years in jail and a most sentence of 20 years in jail, and one rely of possession of kid pornography, which carries a most sentence of 10 years in jail.
The minimal and most potential sentences on this case are prescribed by Congress and are offered right here for informational functions solely, as any sentencing of the defendant can be decided by the choose.
Mr. Williams praised the excellent investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Williams urged anybody who has further details about SMITH’s conduct to name the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or to submit a tip at suggestions.fbi.gov.
This case is being dealt with by the Workplace’s Basic Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Lawyer Getzel Berger is accountable for the prosecution.
The fees contained within the Criticism are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed harmless except and till confirmed responsible.
[1] Because the introductory phrase signifies, the whole lot of the textual content of the Criticism and the outline of the Criticism set forth under represent solely allegations, and each truth described needs to be handled as an allegation.