Clarion County Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography
PITTSBURGH - A resident of Clarion County, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Daniel Sloan Beavers, 42, of Rimersburg, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before Chief United States District Judge Gary L. Lancaster.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on or about Oct. 20, 2010, Beavers did knowingly possess visual depictions, namely, images and videos contained in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Judge Lancaster scheduled sentencing for Feb. 15, 2013, at 10 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Beavers.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
