Ransomville man sentenced after authorities find over 10,000 files of child pornography

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A Ransomville man was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 25 years of supervised release after authorities found over 10,000 videos and images of child pornography in his possession, the United States Attorney's Office announced.

In August 2019, authorities received a tip that an online user, identified as 37-year-old John Stuart, accessed child sexual abuse and exploitation material through a website on the Tor network, which is used for anonymous browsing.

Authorities seized two laptops, a cell phone, a hard drive and a desktop computer tower in October 2020. Officials said a review of the materials resulted in 8,000 videos and 2,000 images of child pornography on one of the laptops, and 150 images and one video of child pornography on the second laptop.

Ninety images and 150 videos of child pornography were found on the cell phone, and 90 images and two videos were found on the hard drive. According to the attorney's office, some of the images depicted violence against children.

Stuart is required to register as a sex offender.