U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced the sentencing of Christopher Gostick, 30, from Lancaster, NY, to over 24 years in prison for receiving child pornography. This conviction follows a prior charge related to possession of child pornography. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara handed down the sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A.C. Penrose provided details of the case, revealing that on June 9 and 10, 2023, Gostick attended a sleepover birthday party where he kissed a nine-year-old minor victim on the lips. The incident was reported by the child's parents, prompting police intervention and the seizure of Gostick's cellular devices.
A search of these devices uncovered a secretly recorded video of the first minor victim using the bathroom and a screen recording of a Snapchat conversation with another minor victim aged ten at that time. During this exchange, Gostick posed as an 11-year-old female and persuaded the second minor to send him a sexually explicit video.
Further examination revealed approximately 613 images and two videos containing child pornography on Gostick’s devices. In August 2019, he had been convicted on a state charge for attempted possession of sexual performance by a child under sixteen.
The investigation leading to this sentencing was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan and the Buffalo Police Department led by Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.