Former Steuben County Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography

Saturday, August 30, 2025, 8:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ROCHESTER, NY.- A 35-year-old Hornellsville, New York, man, and former Steuben County Sheriff’s Officer will be facing up to 20 years in federal prison when sentenced early next year after pleading guilty on Wednesday to possessing digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of a prepubescent child.

     According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Stuart J. McHenry, 35, of Hornellsville, New York, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa to a criminal information charging one count of Possession of Child Pornography.

     Following entering his guilty plea on Wednesday, Judge Siragusa accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2026. At that time, McHenry faces up to 20 years in federal prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

According To Court Documents

     According to the charging information filed with the District Court, McHenry knowingly possessed digital images of child pornography. At least one of the digital images depicted prepubescent children under the age of twelve. 

     The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip from the Instant Messaging application Kik, which revealed that a Kik user, “acman990,” had uploaded around 24 media files of suspected child pornography. A review found that approximately 22 media files contained child pornography. During the ensuing investigation, Investigators were able to trace the account to McHenry and uncovered messages between McHenry and other users in which McHenry sought, received, and distributed digital images and video files of child pornography.

     Some of the video files and digital images possessed by McHenry depicted the sexual violence of children, and one of the images depicted the sexual exploitation of an infant. At the time of the offense, McHenry was employed as a Deputy Sheriff with the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office.

     U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo commended the investigative work of the New York State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, which led to McHenry’s arrest and the guilty plea entered on Wednesday.