A Rochester man, Daniel P. Walsh, aged 58, has been charged with receipt and possession of child pornography, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The charges against Walsh carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi is handling the case. Rossi explained that in November 2024, Google reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an account registered under Walsh's name had uploaded multiple images of child pornography from his IP address. Following this report, Rochester Police and the FBI executed a search warrant at Walsh’s residence, seizing several computers and digital devices.
A forensic examination revealed that Walsh possessed hundreds of images depicting child pornography, including content involving prepubescent minors engaged in sexual conduct with adults. It was also found that he had superimposed faces of known minors onto some images.
Walsh made his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was released on certain conditions.
The investigation was conducted by the Rochester Police Department led by Chief David Smith and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
It is important to note that a criminal charge is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.