Oscar F. Hernandez III, 24, of Buffalo, was sentenced on Mar. 27 to ten years in prison and ten years of supervised release after being convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor following a prior conviction under New York law relating to possession of child pornography, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address repeat offenses related to child exploitation and underscores the seriousness with which such crimes are prosecuted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A.C. Penrose said that Hernandez had previously been convicted in December 2022 for Attempted Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child in New York State Court and was sentenced at that time to six years probation. According to Penrose, on June 18, 2024, Hernandez used Instagram and his cellular phone to share two videos containing child pornography with another user whom he believed was a minor.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence on May 14, 2025. During the search they seized several electronic devices including a cell phone containing fifteen images of child pornography.
DiGiacomo said the sentencing followed an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Authorities say this sentence demonstrates continued coordination between federal agencies and partners aimed at preventing further exploitation and holding offenders accountable.
