WNY/ROCHESTER MAN CHARGED WITH PRODUCTION AND POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY; FBI ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE PUBLIC

Press release

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Stephen Nicot, 60, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production and possession of child pornography, which carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.

(Provided photo)

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in July 2022, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office received information that Nicot had cameras hidden in a bathroom of his residence. The Sheriff’s office subsequently executed a search warrant at the residence, seizing a USB drive, cell phones, an SD card, and a laptop. A forensic review of the items seized recovered numerous photographs and videos depicting young boys and adult men nude. Some of the videos depicted young boys and adult men showering. Investigators believe some of the videos were taken by the camera hidden in Nicot’s bathroom. In addition, investigators have identified videos that they believe were taken by a camera that Nicot hid in a bathroom, that included a shower, in an Orleans County, NY, church. The investigation has identified five victims. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-585-546-2220.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.