A Syracuse man has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
Jonte McCall, 39, admitted to possessing videos depicting child sexual abuse while he was on state probation for a prior sex offense.
Federal prosecutors said McCall was convicted in December 2021 of a New York State charge for possessing a sexual performance by a child under the age of 16. As part of that conviction, he was placed on probation and required to comply with sex offender registration requirements.
Investigators said that in February 2024, while still on probation, McCall possessed a cellphone containing 14 videos of child pornography.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the New York State Police Troop D Computer Crimes Unit and the Onondaga County Probation Department.
Because of his prior conviction, McCall faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and could receive up to 20 years behind bars. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000, restitution to victims, forfeiture of the cellphone used in the offense, and a supervised release term that could last from five years to life. He will also be required to register again as a sex offender.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 27, 2026, before Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.
Federal officials said the case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying, prosecuting, and preventing crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].