Pittsburgh Man Sentenced to 8+ Years In Prison After Pleading Guilty To Violating Child Sexual Exploitation Laws
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court to serve 102 months in prison followed by 10 years supervised release for violating federal child sexual exploitation laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Thomas Voelzke, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts and was sentenced by United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry for transporting, receiving, and possessing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
In connection with the guilty pleas, the court was advised that Voelzke transported, received and distributed thousands of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The court was further advised that Voelzke used a particular internet application to discuss and, at times, encourage the sexual exploitation and torture of children. Many of the images Voelzke transported, received, or possessed depicted young, prepubescent female children being vaginally penetrated by adult men.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Homeland Security Investigations Section of the Department of Homeland Security for the successful investigation leading to the conviction in this case.
