CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a three count indictment charging Peter Hingston, 59, of Amherst, NY, with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 70 years in prison. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between September 2018, and June 17, 2019, the defendant used two minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. In addition, Hingston possessed a GoPro HERO4 digital camera containing an SD card that contained images of child pornography.

According to a previously filed complaint in the case, in June 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation learned the Buffalo Police Department was investigating an incident related to the possible production of child pornography involving Hingston. The report alleged that the middle school technology teacher was observed using a GoPro camera to photograph or record female students in a sexually inappropriate way. Multiple students came forward regarding Hingston’s use of the GoPro during class. 

The defendant was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and continues to be detained.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Buffalo Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief James P. Stauffiger.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Peter Hingston, 59, of Amherst, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempted sexual exploitation of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and possession of material that contained an image of child pornography. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who is handling the case, stated that in June 2019, the Federal Bureau of Investigation learned the Buffalo Police Department was investigating an incident related to the possible production of child pornography involving Peter Hingston, a City Honors school teacher. The report alleged that Hingston, a middle school technology teacher was observed using a GoPro camera to photograph or record female students in a sexually inappropriate way.

Multiple students came forward regarding Hingston’s use of the GoPro during class.  An examination of the defendant’s GoPro camera revealed numerous videos of Hingston exposing himself and using the minor victims in a sexually explicit manner. 

“For the second time in two weeks, we are charging a Buffalo school teacher with a very disturbing crime,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “As parents, we trust that teachers will help to educate and shape our children. Where teachers violate that trust and seek to exploit our children to satisfy their own twisted desires, this Office, together with our partners in law enforcement, will do everything that we can to remove such predators. I want to commend the students at City Honors who had the courage and maturity to say something when they saw something.”

“The Hingston investigation reminds us to continue empowering our children to speak up and share what they see,” said Gary Loeffert, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Buffalo office. “The criminal complaint describes student witnesses expressing valid concerns about Hingston's unusual behaviors in the classroom. The school in turn reported his actions to the Buffalo Police Department, and Buffalo Police reached out to the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force. The students' voices are the reason Hingston is not teaching middle school students right now in a Buffalo public school classroom.”

The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Roemer and was detained.

Members of the public who have information related to this case or feel they may have been victimized by Hingston are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-843-1616 and leave a message and telephone number. A member of the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force will contact them during normal business hours.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Buffalo Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief James P. Stauffiger.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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