Troy Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

 ALBANY, NEW YORK – Neeko Allen, age 29, of Troy, New York, was ordered detained today following his arrest last week on child pornography charges.  The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).  

The criminal complaint against Allen, a registered sex offender, alleges that Allen distributed multiple images of child pornography over the internet.  The charge in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The charge against Allen carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a post-release term of supervision of between 5 years and life, and a fine of up to $250,000. 

Allen made his initial appearance on May 7 before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart.  At a hearing conducted today, Judge Stewart ordered Allen detained pending trial. 

This case is being investigated by the FBI and its Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Rotterdam, Troy, and Colonie Police Departments and the New York State Police.   The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams. 

The case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.