Two convicted on child pornography charges

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Robert J. Gongloff, 25, of Weirton, West Virginia, and Matthew A. Amedeo, 69, of Chester, West Virginia, were each convicted today of child pornography offenses in federal court, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

An investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the West Virginia State Police revealed that Gongloff produced numerous images and videos depicting nude minors and minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Gongloff, originally from Preston County, West Virginia, also misrepresented his name and age on a website known as MeetMe.com, claiming to be 17 years old and using the name “Johnny Williamson,” in order to transmit sexually explicit photographs to minor females. Gongloff pled guilty today to one count of “Production of Child Pornography.” He faces between 15 and 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Amedo utilized an online file sharing website to share and download various images of child pornography in Hancock County, West Virginia throughout 2014. He pled guilty today to one count of “Possession of Child Pornography,” following an investigation by the West Virginia State Police. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Vogrin prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided.