Grand Island Man Going To Prison On Child Pornography Charge

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Anthony Weber, 36, of Grand Island, NY, who was convicted of attempted receipt of child pornography, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to serve 75 months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan P. Cantil, who handled the case, stated that on April 9, 2017, the defendant engaged in a online conversation with Victim 1, a 15 year-old female. On April 12, 2017, Weber invited Victim 1 to a bonfire, stating they would drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. Victim 1 responded, “Im 15.”

On August 10, 2017, the defendant again engaged in an online conversation with Victim 1, offering to provide cocaine to Victim 1 in exchange for sexual intercourse. Victim 1 agreed to consider having sex with Weber in exchange for cocaine. The defendant then requested that Victim 1 send him sexually explicit pictures.

Victim 1 subsequently reported this incident to the City of Tonawanda Police Department. After the incident was reported, the Federal Bureau of Investigation assumed Victim 1’s online identity and continued to engage in online conversations with the defendant. On October 11, 2017, Weber agreed to meet the person he believed was a minor female to engage in sexual activity. The defendant arrived at a retail store parking lot believing he was going to meet and have sexual intercourse with the minor.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the City of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Strassburg; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack.