Cranberry Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Child Pornography
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, April 8, 2010, that James Klein, a resident of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of child pornography.
Klein, age 38, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch advised the court that Klein, on February 3, 2009, unlawfully possessed videos in computer graphics files depicting child pornography. The child pornography consisted of numerous videos, some of which depicted prepubescent minors engaged in violent, sadistic, and/or masochistic sexual activity. Klein agreed to forfeiture of his computer, its hard drive, and a micro thumb drive to the United States.
Judge McVerry scheduled sentencing for August 20, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Klein.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse, led by the United States Attorney's 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.
