Patrick Kerwin faces 20 years in a federal prison
From the U.S Attorney Michael DiGiacomo,
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Patrick Kerwin, 43, of Java Center, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 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.
According to the plea agreement, on November 19, 2025, Lancaster Police officers encountered Kerwin at a local restaurant where he advised them that he had exchanged text messages with underage girls, possessed child pornography on his cell phone, and that he had been involved in previous “underage relationships.” Kerwin subsequently consented to the seizure and search of his cell phone and voluntarily agreed to be interviewed at the Lancaster Police Department, during which he admitted that he messaged underage girls using social media and encrypted applications. A forensic review of his cell phone recovered 13 images and 81 videos of child pornography. Some of the images and videos depicted the sexual abuse of an infant or toddler, as well as depictions of violence.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins. The plea is the result of an investigation by the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II and the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Gummo.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 15, 2027, before Judge Sinatra.
