NANTICOKE MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR USING INTERNET TO ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE MINOR TO HAVE SEX

Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a 21-year-old Nanticoke man was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Edwin M. Kosik to serve 10 years in federal prison for using the Internet to attempt to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual conduct.

Carlson stated that Branden Holena previously admitted to having online chat sessions during April 2007 in an effort to entice a 14-year old to meet him for sex. Holena admitted to arranging to meet with a 14-year old in Luzerne County on April 25, 2007. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Nanticoke Police arrested Holena as he arrived at the pre-arranged meeting location.

Holena was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 1, 2007. Holena’s prosecution resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Nanticoke Police.

Judge Kosik also ordered that Holena be placed on lifetime supervision by the U.S. Probation Office following his release from prison. Holena must also pay a $100 special assessment.

Carlson noted that the investigation and prosecution of Holena are part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Carlson noted that Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa prosecuted the case.

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