Holley English teacher arrested for child pornography

ROCHESTER – A Holley English teacher has been arrested for child pornography, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today.

Steven Choi, 41, of Rochester was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography.

The receipt of child pornography charge carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, while the possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force identified the defendant accessing child pornography online. A forensic examination of that computer recovered sexually explicit photographs of prepubescent girls.

Choi made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Feldman. He is due back in federal court for a status hearing on August 12, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.

The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by Special Agents of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen. The task force includes the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the Rochester Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, and the Greece Police Department.

Holley Central School issued this statement to WROC-TV in Rochester: “The Holley Central School District was informed by law enforcement officials about the arrest of a district employee. This employee is not currently involved in any district programs or activities during summer recess. The employee will be banned from all district grounds. The district will cooperate fully with law enforcement and seek disciplinary action as appropriate.”