Western NY men ages 30 to 57 facing long prison sentences for disgusting acts of abuse
From the U.S Attorney’s Office
SOUTHERN TIER MAN GOING TO PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David J. Johnston, 57, of Olean, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Prior to February 19, 2024, Johnston was in a relationship with co-defendant Kayla R. Kio. During the relationship, he requested that Kio take naked videos of a 5-year-old child that they both had access to. On February 19, 2024, Kio took a sexually explicit video of the minor victim using her cell phone and then sent it to Johnston via text message. He took a screen shot from the video, which constituted child pornography, and sent it back to Kio and to other individuals. During this time, Johnson also sent Kio a different image of child pornography via text message. On March 13, 2024, during the execution of a search warrant at Johnston’s residence, law enforcement seized three cell telephones. A review of the cell phones recovered approximately 11 images and one video of child pornography.
Kio was previously convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler.
ROCHESTER MAN SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Zachary Guthrie, 32, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
In October 2024, the New York State Police (NYSP) executed a search warrant at Guthrie’s residence after receiving CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Guthrie uploaded child pornography to Instagram and Discord. During the search, investigators seized his cell phone. A forensic review of the phone recovered more than 200 videos, and more than 320 images of child pornography. Some of the images depicted the sexual exploitation of children as well as violence against children.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
HILTON MAN PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF CYBERSTALKING PLEADS GUILTY TO NEW CYBERSTALKING CHARGE
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David Guest, 30, of Hilton, NY, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and violating the terms of his federal supervised release before U.S. District Judge Merideth A. Vacca. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
In 2025, Guest threatened and harassed an acquaintance through social media accounts. He posted nude photographs of the victim to various pornographic websites with the victim’s full name. In addition, Guest sent the photographs to the victim’s family members, colleagues, former classmates, and friends. As a result, the victim suffered extreme emotional distress.
Guest was previously convicted of cyberstalking in 2023 and sentenced to serve 27 months in prison. He was released from prison in 2025, shortly before he committed this latest offense.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. before Judge Vacca.
PRIOR FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO OBSCENITY CHARGE
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Raymond Mason, 54, of Frewsburg, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession of obscene visual depictions following a prior conviction, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that in February 2010, Mason was convicted of possession of child pornography and attempted receipt of child pornography, and was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison and a term of supervised release of life. On July 15, 2024, United States Probation Officers visited Mason’s Frewsburg residence to conduct a home visit. During their visit, officers found an internet capable cellular phone and tablet, which Mason was not authorized to possess. A cursory review of the phone recovered visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. A forensic examination of the phone revealed more than 600 images, including computer-generated images, of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Mason obtained the computer-generated images over the internet. Some of the computer-generated images included prepubescent minors and depictions of violence or the sexual exploitation of an infant or toddler.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II.
Sentencing scheduled for October 9, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
