Jack Sherlock

A Salamanca man is facing child pornography charges.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced Friday that Jack Sherlock, 55, was charged by criminal complaint with attempted production of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Franz M. Wright, who are handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on Nov. 7, the Salamanca Police Department contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and advised that a Pennsylvania-based citizens group engaged in undercover chats with Sherlock, who had initiated sexual communications with a Facebook account controlled by the citizens group purporting to belong to a 12-year-old female living in Salamanca. During these communications, Sherlock stated that he wanted the 12-year-old to send him nude images and had expressed a desire to meet in person to engage in sexual activity.

On Nov. 20, investigators took over the Facebook account from the citizens group and engaged in conversation with Sherlock. During the conversation, an investigator, posing as the 12-year-old girl, stated that a “cousin,” also a 12-year-old girl, was with her. The investigator then sent Sherlock a link to a Facebook account for the “cousin.” Sherlock accepted and soon began a sexually oriented conversation with the “cousin.” He asked for sexually explicit images and planned to meet in person to have sex. On Wednesday, Sherlock was arrested as he attempted to meet up with the 12-year-old girl.

Members of the public who have specific information related to this case are urged to contact the HSI Buffalo Office at 716-945-2330.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Salamanca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jamie Deck, the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.