Glenn T. Suddaby, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York; John F. Pikus, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division; and Preston L. Felton, Superintendent of the New York State Police, make the following announcement:

As a result of an investigation conducted by the New York State Police and the Southern Tier Cyber Predator Task Force (STCPTF), Americo A. Martinucci, 65, of Sidney Center, New York was indicted today in a federal indictment charging Martinucci with Production Of Child Pornography. The defendant previously appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Gustave J. DiBianco, who ordered that the defendant be held in federal custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for March 21, 2007 in Syracuse, New York. A trial date has yet to be set.

The federal indictment alleges that in 2003 Americo Martinucci did knowingly and willfully use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct, in that, Martinucci videotaped the minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and sexual acts.

Martinucci faces a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment; a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years imprisonment; and a $250,000 maximum fine.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Miroslav Lovric. Further inquiries may be directed to the United States Attorney's Office, Binghamton branch office at (607) 773-2887.