ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.
announced today that Roland Yockel, II, 30, of Hilton, NY, was arrested and
charged by criminal complaint with receipt and distribution of child
pornography. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a
$250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the
case, stated that according to the complaint, in October 2016, Homeland
Security Investigation (HSI) Special Agents in Phoenix became involved in an
ongoing child pornography investigation with investigators from the New Zealand
Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwheuna, Digital Child Exploitation
Team (NZDCET). That investigation
identified individuals who utilized the Internet based application “Chatstep.com”
to receive and distribute child pornography.
On May 22, 2017 and July 24, 2017, a NZDCET investigator,
acting in an undercover capacity, observed multiple individuals accessing
Chatstep chat rooms, including an individual with the user name “Ryancba.” The
individual also posted links to image files depicting suspected child
pornography. The IP address traced back to the defendant, Roland Yockel, a
kindergarten teacher in the Brockport Central School District. The sexually
explicit images included pre-pubescent children
On November 21, 2017, a search warrant was executed at the
defendant’s North Avenue residence. Agents recovered DVD’s containing numerous
videos and images of child pornography. Yockel resides in the basement of the
North Avenue residence with his parents and siblings and his parents provide
babysitting services at the residence.
U.S. Attorney Kennedy emphasized that given the defendant’s
access to children, HSI Special Agents working the case are seeking the
public's help in order to determine whether there are additional minor victims.
"Based upon his access to children and the nature of
the allegations in this case, we believe there is a possibility there are
unidentified child victims," said Kevin Kelly, Special Agent-in-Charge for
HSI Buffalo, which covers the region. "We encourage anyone in the
Rochester area who may have information that could be relevant to the case to
come forward."
Members of the public who have information related to this
case are urged to contact the local HSI Buffalo Office at 716-464-5923. HSI
victim-witness specialists will be available to assist any parent or guardian
should they need victim-related resources.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland
Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin
Kelly, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Richard
Allen.
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.
