Madison County Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing and Possessing Child Pornography

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Jacob Netzel, age 33, of Oneida, New York, pled guilty on April 23, 2026, in federal court to distribution and possession of child pornography.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Steven G. James, Superintendent of the New York State Police, made the announcement.

As part of his plea, Netzel admitted that between approximately April 2022 through November 2024, he used several social networking, messaging, and file-sharing applications to distribute and receive child pornography. In May 2023, Netzel engaged in a conversation over social media with an individual whom he believed to be a 12-year-old girl but was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. In their conversation, Netzel sent the undercover officer multiple videos depicting child pornography. Netzel also used social media apps to trade child pornography online. For example, Netzel participated in group chats in November 2024 during which he both received child pornography from other users and distributed child pornography to other users. Netzel also admitted that he knowingly possessed child pornography on his cell phone when it was seized by state police.

FAUSA Sarcone stated: "This defendant's actions were truly vile. He traded videos and images with other sick individuals showing the sexual abuse of our society's most vulnerable members: children. My Office is grateful for the constant and aggressive pursuit of these most dangerous people by HSI, the NYSP, and all our law enforcement partners who are committed to stopping these violent crimes."

HSI SAC Keegan stated: "Jacob Netzel used social media and file sharing platforms to trade and collect child sexual abuse material and send graphic videos he believed were going to a 12-year-old girl. Fortunately, law enforcement intercepted his predatory conduct before greater harm could occur. HSI Syracuse, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, and the New York State Police remain committed to protecting our community and removing those that pose a serious threat to children."

Superintendent James stated: "Crimes involving the exploitation of children are among the most disturbing we investigate, and they will not be tolerated. This case highlights the critical importance of collaboration between federal, state, and local partners in identifying those who prey on children online and holding them accountable. The New York State Police remains committed to aggressively pursuing individuals who engage in this type of criminal behavior and to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities."

The distribution charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years. The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Both charges carry a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.

Netzel's sentencing is currently scheduled for August 18, 2026, before United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi in Utica, New York. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

HSI and NYSP investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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