Date: 08-12-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Joseph A. Buelow

Case Number: 1:24-mj-05128

Judge: Michael J. Roemer

Court: The United States District Court for the Western District of New York (Erie County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Buffalo

Defendant's Attorney:

Click Here For The Best Buffalo, New York Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory

Description:

Buffalo, New York criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possession of child pornography
West Seneca man arrested, charged with possession of child pornography

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Joseph A. Buelow, 29, of West Seneca, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

On February 7, 2024, the West Seneca Police Department was advised by members of the Finger Lakes Pred Catchers that they had information regarding Joseph Buelow contacting underage minors. Pred Catchers is a group of volunteers who work to expose online child predators. The operator of Pred Catchers, Dakota Liddiard, stated that Buelow reached out to him on the dating application Meet24, believing that he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl named “Amanda.” Liddiard said that Buelow began communicating in sexual terms almost immediately and made plans to meet “Amanda.” However, Buelow never showed up at the meeting location. In addition to “Amanda,” Buelow also reached out to “Caitlyn” on Meet24, an alleged 14-year-old girl, who was actually another member of the Pred Catchers. These conversations were also sexual in nature and Buelow requested to meet with “Caitlyn” on two occasions but did not show up either time.

On April 18, 2024, West Seneca Police reached out to the FBI, providing the images of conversations between Fred Catchers and Joseph A. Buelow. During some of these conversations, Buelow sent nude pictures of himself and attempted to get the minors to send nude images of herself. During the execution of a search warrant on Buelow’s cell phone, investigators recovered multiple communications between Buelow and individuals he believed were minors. They also recovered sexually explicit images of child pornography. Investigators have identified at least one minor victim that Buelow allegedly sexually abused.

Buelow made an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Cosgrove and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James 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.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: