A federal grand jury has indicted Matthew A. Steele, 53, of Elma, NY, on charges of production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. The charges, announced by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Steele coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct on multiple occasions between July 2008 and July 2012 to produce visual depictions. Steele allegedly distributed some of these images and was found in possession of images of a prepubescent minor on a hard drive.
Steele was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is currently detained. The charges stem from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Great Falls, Montana Police Department.
Steele remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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