Buffalo Ledger

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christopher Gostick, 30, of Lancaster, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to receipt of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction relating to possession of child pornography. This charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that on June 9 and 10, 2023, Gostick attended a sleepover birthday party during which he kissed a minor victim (Minor Victim 1), who was nine years old, on the lips. Minor Victim 1 informed her parents, leading to police officers responding to the residence and taking possession of cellular telephones and a tablet belonging to Gostick.

A review of one of the cellphones uncovered a surreptitiously recorded video of Minor Victim 1 using the bathroom. Additionally, law enforcement found on another cellphone a screen recording of a Snapchat conversation between Gostick and a second minor victim (Minor Victim 2), who was ten years old at the time. During that conversation, Gostick posed as an eleven-year-old female and instructed Minor Victim 2 to send him a sexually explicit video, which Minor Victim 2 did.

Further examination of Gostick’s devices recovered approximately 613 images and two videos containing child pornography. Previously, in August 2019, Gostick was convicted on a state charge of Attempted Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child Less than sixteen.

The plea results from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino and the Buffalo Police Department under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Arcara.

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