Celebrity Chef Matthew Tivy Arrested for Child Porn, Enticing Teen

Food Network star Matthew Tivy was arrested on Thursday and charged with sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor and receipt and distribution of child pornography, according to the FBI.

The celebrity chef's attorney, Glenn Hardy, told NBC New York and amNewYork that his client is innocent.

In an FBI statement, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara wrote, "As alleged, Matthew Tivy took advantage of a minor for his own sexual gratification, even when he knew the minor was only in high school. He then allegedly shared the video he recorded of his encounter with others. Tivy allegedly targeted and exploited vulnerable and innocent children, and for that, he will now face the criminal consequences. I want to thank the FBI and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for its collaboration in this investigation."

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriquez added, "As alleged, Tivy used a dating app to meet minors, even acknowledging their age on text messages after they met. He then allegedly shared the sexually explicit videos of the minors with others through Internet sharing communities."

The charge of enticing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. The receipt and distribution of child pornography charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.