iStockA tip-off from Police Scotland helped the FBI reopen an investigation into a priest arrested over alleged child pornography offences.
Reverend Jeffrey Nowak from Lackawanna, New York, was arrested and charged in connection with the alleged receipt and possession of child pornography on July 8.
The 46-year-old, who was a priest in the Diocese of Buffalo, is facing a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
According to the criminal complaint, in August 2019, he 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 was identified as an address that accessed a New Zealand cloud-based digital storage and file-hosting website/application, which contained photos and video files of sexually exploited children.
In May 2021, the FBI conducted an investigation, executing a search warrant for the email address. However, no child pornography was found, and the investigation was closed in July 2023.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, 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 Police Scotland.
It 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 reopened by the FBI in 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.
Nowak appeared in court and was remanded in custody to await trial, according to local reports.
U.S. attorney Michael DiGiacomo said: “Defendants like Jeffrey Nowak go to great lengths, and in this case great distances, to hide their criminal behaviour.
“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 behaviour.”
Allen D. Davis II, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office, said: “Crimes involving the receipt and possession of child sexual abuse material are among the most disturbing offences the FBI investigates. It is especially troubling when the crime is allegedly committed by a trusted leader of faith.
“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.”
The Diocese of Buffalo said in a statement last month that in 2019 it was advised of numerous complaints about the priest, but that none of the complaints included any allegation of inappropriate sexual contact, possession of child pornography or sexual abuse of a minor.
They said: “However, given clear evidence of inappropriate conduct of Jeffrey Nowak with adults, then-Bishop Richard Malone removed him indefinitely from active ministry in 2019.”
It added: “Following Bishop Michael Fisher’s appointment to the Diocese of Buffalo in January 2021, Bishop Fisher personally met with Rev. Nowak, having reviewed details of his removal from active ministry, and informed Rev. Nowak that he would not consider reappointing him to a parish, nor allow him to function as a priest within the Diocese.
“In light of the abhorrent criminal conduct recently alleged by federal investigators, the Diocese is no longer providing any financial support to Rev. Nowak, who remains incarcerated pending his trial.
“Moreover, Bishop Fisher has now instructed the Diocese’s Judicial Vicar to gather the necessary documentation based on these latest allegations to petition the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith to dismiss Jeffrey Nowak from the clerical state.”
Police Scotland said it would not comment on an FBI investigation.
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