Priest on administrative leave arrested, charged with receipt and possession of child pornography

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jeffrey Nowak, 46, of Lackawanna, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

According to the criminal complaint, in August 2019, the defendant, a priest in the Diocese of Buffalo, was placed on administrative leave as an investigation was conducted following allegations of inappropriate contact with children and harassment of a seminarian. In December 2019, an email address linked to Nowak, [email protected], was identified as an address that accessed a New Zealand cloud-based digital storage and file-hosting website/application, which contained photos and videos files of sexually exploited children. In May 2021, the FBI conducted an investigation, executing a search warrant for the email address [email protected], however, no child pornography was found, and the investigation was closed in July 2023.

In late 2025, the FBI Criminal Division's Violent Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Section, Child Exploitation Operational Unit (CEOU), received a referral from law enforcement located in Scotland related to a Telegram group whose members participated in group Zoom calls during which members were observed viewing and sharing child pornography. Investigators linked one of the participants to the username PigBoy666, which was later identified as Nowak. As a result, the investigation into Nowak was re-opened by FBI Buffalo in March 2026.

On July 8, 2026, a search warrant was executed at Nowak's residence, during which investigators seized multiple electronic devices, including a cell phone, laptop, iPad, a USB storage device, and suspected narcotics. An initial review of the electronics, including the USB storage device, recovered several folders containing videos of child pornography.

"Defendants like Jeffrey Nowak go to great lengths, and in this case great distances, to hide their criminal behavior," stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. "Once in a position of trust, Nowak hid behind a keyboard and took part in the tragic exploitation of one of society's most vulnerable populations, our children. Nowak has now been exposed and can no longer hide and will be held accountable for his disgraceful behavior."

"Crimes involving the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material are among the most disturbing offenses the FBI investigates. It is especially troubling when the crime is allegedly committed by a trusted leader of faith," said Allen D. Davis II, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Buffalo Field Office. "Criminals who receive, possess, or distribute this material fuel the continued exploitation of innocent children. No position of trust, title, or status will shield anyone from accountability. FBI Buffalo, and our law enforcement partners, will continue to protect innocent children, identify child predators, and bring offenders to justice."

Nowak will make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer on July 9, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

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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