U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest of Bernard J. Keller, 27, from Hamburg, NY, on charges related to child pornography. The charges include receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography, which could result in a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years along with a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango is handling the case. According to Mango, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received reports in 2017 and 2018 about suspected child pornography shared on the Kik application. Investigations linked these files to Keller, who was convicted in Erie County Court in August 2022 for possessing a sexual performance by a child under 16. He was sentenced to ten years’ probation and placed on the New York State Sex Offender registry.
In March 2025, NCMEC reported another incident involving four files of suspected child pornography shared between two users on Kik. Investigators again traced these files back to Keller. A search warrant executed at his residence on May 21, 2025, led to the seizure of his cell phone where suspected child pornography was found during a preliminary search.
The public is encouraged to contact the FBI at 716-856-7800 if they have any information regarding this defendant.
This complaint resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm and the New York State Police directed by Major Amie Feroleto.
It is important to note that being charged with a crime is merely an accusation; Keller remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
