Rensselaer Man Arrested and Charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Mark Tremblay, age 34, of Rensselaer, New York, was arrested today and charged with the sexual exploitation of a child. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office, made the announcement.

According to a criminal complaint, on or about November 13, 2024, Tremblay used a child, born in 2023, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating child pornography. Tremblay then distributed the produced images to another person with whom he was corresponding over the Internet. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Tremblay made an initial appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel and was ordered detained. He faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a supervised release term of at least 5 years and up to life. Tremblay may also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his offense and forfeit the device used in the offense. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors. Tremblay would also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

HSI is investigating this case with assistance from the New York State Police (NYSP) and the NYSP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Allen J. Vickey is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney's offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and is designed to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.