Erie County Child Predator Arrested On New Child Pornography Charges
Monday, June 16, 2025, 6:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BUFFALO, NY.- On Thursday, June 12, 2025, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo reported that Bernard “Bernie” Keller, 27, of Hamburg, New York, was taken into custody and charged by federal complaint with Receiving Child Pornography; Distribution of Child Pornography; and Possession of Child Pornography.
If convicted at trial, Keller faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison, at least five years and up to life of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Any sentence imposed upon a finding of guilt would be determined by a U.S. District Court Judge based on the seriousness of the offenses and Keller’s prior criminal history.
According To Charging Information Filed In The Complaint
According to the charging information filed in the criminal complaint, in 2017 and 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received CyberTips that digital images and video files of the sexual exploitation and abuse had been shared on the Kik Instant Messenger application.
A subsequent investigation traced Keller as the owner of the Kik Messenger account. Keller was ultimately convicted in Erie County State Court of possessing a sexual performance by a child less than 16 years of age. In August 2022, Keller was sentenced to ten years of probation and placed on the New York State Sex Offender registry.
The complaint alleges that in March 2025, the New York State Police received another CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that four media files containing child pornography were shared between two users on the Kik Instant Messaging application. A subsequent investigation traced the files once again to Keller. On May 21, 2025, state and federal law enforcement Investigators obtained and executed a court-authorized search warrant at Keller’s residence in Hamburg, New York.
During the search, Investigators seized Keller’s cellular phone. A preliminary examination uncovered digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of prepubescent and pubescent children.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact them at (716) 856-7800.
“The rules of the federal court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
