Wayne County man arrested on multiple child exploitation charges

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John C. Aldrich, IV, 54, of Palmyra, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with the production, receipt, possession, and distribution of child pornography, and enticement of a minor. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine up to $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, law enforcement began investigating Aldrich in March 2024, after receiving information that he had engaged in the ongoing physical and sexual abuse of a minor victim in Palmyra, NY. Investigators recovered messages between the victim  and Aldrich, which revealed that Aldrich had been involved in an ongoing pattern of abuse in which he sexually abused the victim and produced child pornography. According to the complaint, the abuse took place on a weekly basis over a period of more than one year, beginning when the victim was only 14 years old.

Aldrich made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and was held pending a detention hearing on April 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, Lyons, under the direction of Major Miklos Szoczei II, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.

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.

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