Latest news with #UnitedStatesDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Tonawanda man charged with distributing child pornography
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Tonawanda man was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution of child pornography, the United States District Attorney's Office announced Monday. On Dec. 19, 2024, Shawn Demmick, 33, allegedly uploaded eight files, which included images and photos of child pornography, with another user or group of users on Kik, a messaging application, officials said. Demmick's username was listed in the report as 'sirbannedalot.' An investigation traced the account to Demmick. The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former Rapids Theatre owner pleads guilty to $1.8 million in COVID relief fraud
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The former owner of the Rapids Theatre pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud after receiving more than $1.8 million in COVID-19 relief funds from fraudulent loan applications, the United States District Attorney's Office announced. John L. Hutchins, of Lewiston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine that could reach $1 million. According to the United States District Attorney's Office, Hutchins and co-defendant Roberto Soliman filed fraudulent loan applications with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). Between March and August 2020, Hutchins and Soliman received the following loans: Five Economic Injury Disaster loans adding up to $779,500 SVOG loans adding up to $989,905 PPP loans adding up to $115,978 Hutchins and Soliman submitted false accounting figures on the loan applications, the United States District Attorney's Office said. The City of Niagara Falls bought the Rapids Theatre out of foreclosure in November, according to Buffalo Business First. The theater, originally known as Shea's Bellevue Theatre, opened in 1921. After several different iterations over the decades, it reopened as a rock music venue in 2004 as The Dome Theatre before becoming The Rapids Theatre in 2009. Bands such as Stone Temple Pilots, The Deftones and Our Lady Peace played shows during its time as The Rapids Theatre. Charges are pending against Soliman, the United States District Attorney's Office said. *** Mark Ludwiczak joined the News 4 team in 2024. He is a veteran journalist with two decades of experience in Buffalo. You can follow him online at @marklud12. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Bakersfield man pleads guilty making bomb filled with metal screws: US DOJ
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Bakersfield man pleaded guilty to charges related to making a bomb that was found near a community pool where he lived, according to the United States District Attorney's Office. Robert Lawrence Hunt, 40, pleaded guilty Monday to being a felon in possession of a destructive device and manufacturing a destructive device. Inmate serving life sentence for murder attacked, killed at Kern Valley State Prison Federal prosecutors said the device was manufactured on July 4 and July 5 in 2022. The bomb contained metal screws and was found at a community pool in a residential neighborhood, according to prosecutors. Hunt lived at a home closest to the pool, officials said. Hunt was previously convicted in Kern County for second-degree robbery and first-degree burglary in which he served 11 years total for. Hunt faces a maximum of 15 years in prison on the felon in possession of a destructive device charge and up to 10 years in prison for manufacturing a destructive device. Sentencing is is scheduled for July 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
