Travis Sanders

BUFFALO — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Travis Sanders, 32, of North Richland Hills, Texas, formerly of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and distribution of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy V. Murray, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Homeland Security Investigations received a report from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police National Child Exploitation Center that an individual was communicating with a person with the username “Damion Forsberg” on Skype. The report indicated that “Forsberg” regularly shared pornography that sometimes included children in the content, and was believed to reside in Buffalo, NY or Florida. Subsequent investigation determined that “Forsberg” was actually the defendant, who resided at the time in Jamestown.

Law enforcement officers seized Sanders’ laptop and cellular telephone. A forensic examination of the defendant’s laptop computer revealed images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The preliminary examination of the phone did not immediately reveal visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct but did reveal social networking applications with the alias “Damion Forsberg.” Officers also discovered that the defendant was chatting with a self-proclaimed minor female in 7th grade, from whom he requested her Snapchat account.

Members of the public who have specific information related to this case are urged to contact the HSI Buffalo Office at 716-464-6070. HSI victim-witness specialists will be available to assist any parent or guardian should they need victim-related resources. If any members of the public have general questions or concerns regarding sexual abuse of children or would like guidance on how to discuss this issue with children, please call the Child Advocacy Program at 716-338-9844.

The defendant was arrested in Texas and made an initial appearance in the Northern District of Texas. Sanders is being detained and will be returned to the Western District of New York at a later date.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

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.