Taykwun Smoaks, a 32-year-old resident of Albany, New York, was sentenced to 87 months in prison for receiving child pornography. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Smoaks had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the possession and receipt of child pornography. He admitted that between February and March 2023, he downloaded over 600 videos and 22,000 images depicting child pornography on his computer and external hard drive. These included images involving prepubescent minors and content featuring sadistic and masochistic conduct.
In addition to his prison sentence, United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci ordered Smoaks to serve a 15-year term of supervised release following incarceration. He is also required to pay $45,000 in restitution—$3,000 for each of the 15 victims—and must forfeit the electronic devices used in committing the offense. Upon release from prison, Smoaks will be mandated to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by HSI and NYSP with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.