ROCHESTER, N.Y.- Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced  that John C. Aldrich, IV, 54, of Palmyra, NY, pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

The charge carries a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.

 Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that law enforcement began investigating Aldrich in March 2024, after receiving information that he had engaged in the ongoing physical and sexual abuse of a minor victim in Palmyra.

Investigators recovered messages between Aldrich and the victim, which revealed that Aldrich had been involved in an ongoing pattern of abuse, during which he sexually abused the victim and produced child pornography.

The abuse took place on a weekly basis over a period of more than one year, beginning when the victim was only 14 years old. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, Lyons, under the direction of Acting Major Kevin Sucher, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.