August 12, 2021 - BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced on August 10, 2021, that Brandon Kidder, 37, of Alden, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on May 24, 2019, the defendant possessed images and videos of child pornography, which were stored on his cellular telephone and other electronic storage media. Kidder obtained the images and videos by downloading them from the internet – specifically the dark web. For example, the defendant visited and downloaded images from a dark website featuring “Hurtcore” materials. The term “Hurtcore” means any image or depiction of violent child pornography.

On January 28, 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized a number of devices and electronic storage media. A forensic review revealed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography, including images that portrayed prepubescent minors, or minors under the age of 12, as well as depictions of violence.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2021, before Judge Vilardo.