Former Buffalo Firefighter Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 40-year-old Jose R. DeJesus of Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes to 10 years of probation with sex offender conditions.

On or about Tuesday, January 4, 2022, the defendant possessed, with the intent to view, images and videos of child pornography. The defendant also shared an image that depicted sexual conduct by a child with another user through a website. At the time of the crime, the defendant was employed as a firefighter with the Buffalo Fire Department. He was initially placed on administrative leave following his arrest and later terminated from the position.

DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (Class "D" felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in full satisfaction of the indictment against him on May 9, 2024.

Acting DA Keane commends the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Troop A Computer Crimes Unit as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel Kranitz McPhee of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ryan A. Emmerling of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.