By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-972574.mp3
Buffalo, NY – A 25-year-old West Seneca teacher has been charged with using a fake Facebook account for child pornography.
Timothy Bek of West Seneca was arrested and charged following an investigation initiated by the FBI Buffalo's Cyber Task Force. Bek is a former long term substitute teacher in the West Seneca Central School District.
The FBI says forensic examinations of digital media at the WNYRCFL revealed that Bek utilized at least one fictitious Facebook account in the name of "Sarah Grayson," to entice minors, including students from his school district. Several students sent Bek explicit images of themselves.
The FBI says as events unfolded, it appears Bek may have used some of the images he received to blackmail the victims into sending him additional increasingly explicit images.
Law enforcement is identifying victims and welcomes additional information that may assist in the investigation. If anyone has information regarding Bek or the fictitious Sarah Grayson Facebook account they should contact the FBI at 716-856-7800.
According to U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., Timothy Bek is charged with possession of child pornography which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
The defendant appeared in U.S. District Court Tuesday and was ordered detained by Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy.
U.S. Attorney Hochul stated "our office, along with our federal, state and local partners, take any alleged crime involving children very seriously and we will vigorously prosecute anyone who attempts to violate the law."