A Mexican citizen residing in the Western District of New York has pleaded guilty to producing child pornography, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Victor Francisco Lucas, 32, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum possible sentence of 30 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson stated that starting on January 3, 2025, and continuing for about two weeks, Lucas communicated with a 12-year-old minor outside New York using TikTok, text messages, phone calls, and video calls. During these interactions, Lucas pretended to be a 13-year-old boy and asked the minor to create sexually explicit images and send them via text message. He also engaged in explicit live-streamed video calls with the victim.
Authorities investigating the case searched Lucas’s cell phone and found material constituting child pornography as well as several other chat conversations with minors involving sexually graphic content and exchanges of child pornography.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff Michael Filicetti.
Sentencing is set for May 18, 2026 before Judge Vilardo.
