Jamestown Man Charged with Child Pornography Possession and Distribution

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest of Connor J. Higgs, 20, of Jamestown, New York, on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography in the Western District of New York on May 4, 2026.

The charges target one individual, Higgs, for alleged possession and distribution activities, with penalties set at a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, per the U.S. Department of Justice release.

Before the charges, Higgs faced no federal accusations in this matter; now arrested and charged by criminal complaint, he enters the federal court process in the Western District of New York, with an initial appearance scheduled following the arrest per standard procedure.

The charging initiates federal prosecution, requiring Higgs to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge for arraignment, after which the case proceeds to potential indictment by a grand jury. Conviction would trigger sentencing guidelines enforcement by the court, and any appeal rights activate post-verdict.

The U.S. Department of Justice has pursued similar child pornography cases through its Project Safe Childhood initiative, launched in 2006 to combat child exploitation.