BUFFALO — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that Jacob Tunison, 29, of Olean was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on Jan, 14, the Cuba Police Department alerted the FBI regarding the possible sexual exploitation of a child using social media. Subsequent investigation determined that in November of 2018, Tunison allegedly used one or more social media applications to communicate with a 13-year-old female.

“Tunison sent numerous lewd images of himself to the minor, and solicited the minor to produce and send various images of herself to him,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Tunison made an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held following a detention hearing.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Cuba Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jamestown Office.