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North Syracuse Man Charged in Federal Court with Receiving Child Pornography

The developing case involves federal allegations against a North Syracuse resident previously convicted in 2013.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 15, 2026, 12:50 p.m. ET
Developing

This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.

More on this incident

According to official court records from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, 43-year-old Matthew Flandera of North Syracuse, New York, appeared in federal court on August 6, 2026, on charges of receiving child pornography. The case remains open and undecided. Charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Following an August 11, 2026, detention hearing before United States Magistrate Judge Carla B. Freedman in Syracuse, Flandera was detained pending further proceedings. Official court records announced the proceedings on August 14, 2026. A complaint filed in the case alleges that on or about February 12, 2025, Flandera received a video of child pornography over the internet. The document states that a forensic review of devices recovered from his residence contained cached images of child pornography, and that Flandera admitted to using chat messaging services to receive child pornography files. The complaint states Flandera acknowledged receiving one file from a user on the Omegle platform in 2025 and uploading files to another account. Official records also state Flandera was convicted on June 14, 2013, of possessing a sexual performance by a child less than 16 years old, for which he was sentenced to 10 years probation and required to register as a level 1 sex offender. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated that his office and Homeland Security Investigations remain committed to investigating and prosecuting alleged child predators. Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations, said the alleged actions reflect the exploitation of vulnerable children. Based on the prior conviction, the charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and a statutory maximum of 40 years, along with a fine of up to $250,000 and a supervised release term of 5 years to life. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the New York State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian S. LaRochelle and Michael J. Whalen under Project Safe Childhood. Individuals with additional information regarding Flandera, who also used the name Matthew Flanders, are encouraged to contact Homeland Security Investigations at 1-866-347-2423.

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Revision history

  1. Version 115 Aug 2026, 17:00current

    First published.

  2. Version 115 Aug 2026, 16:50current

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  3. Version 115 Aug 2026, 17:16current

    First published.

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