FEDS: Tonawanda Man Went by "sirbannedalot" on Kik, Shared Child Sexual Abuse Material

A Tonawanda man has been charged with distribution of child pornography following an investigation by federal and local authorities, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York.

Shawn Demmick, 33, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo stated on Monday. If convicted, Demmick faces a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, the charge stems from a December 2024 report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The organization received a Cybertip indicating that a user had shared eight files containing child sexual abuse material on the Kik messaging application on December 19, 2024. Investigators later determined that the files contained illegal content, and the account used to upload them was linked to a screen name, “sirbannedalot.”

Further investigation traced the account to Demmick, leading to his arrest.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department conducted the investigation. FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and Town of Tonawanda Police Chief James Stauffiger confirmed their agencies’ involvement in the case.

Authorities emphasized that a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and Demmick is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.