Christopher Gostick faces 40 years in federal prison
PRIOR FELON PLEADS GUILTY TO NEW CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGE
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Christopher Gostick, 30, of Lancaster, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to receipt of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction relating to possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that on June 9 and 10, 2023, Gostick attended a sleepover birthday party, during which he kissed a minor victim (Minor Victim 1), who was nine years old, on the lips. Minor Victim 1 told her parents, which resulted in police officers responding to the residence and taking possession of cellular telephones and a tablet that belonged to Gostick. A review of one of the cellphones uncovered a surreptitiously recorded video of Minor Victim 1 using the bathroom. In addition to the video of Minor Victim 1, law enforcement also found on Gostick’s other cellphone a screen recording of a Snapchat conversation between Gostick and a second minor victim (Minor Victim 2), who was 10 years old at the time. During that conversation, Gostick, who was posing as an 11-year-old female, instructed Minor Victim 2 to send him a sexually explicit video, which Minor Victim 2 did. A review of Gostick’s devices also recovered approximately 613 images and two videos containing child pornography. Previously, in August 2019, Gostick was convicted on a state charge of Attempted Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child Less than 16.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 4, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Arcara.
