Altoona Man Charged With Possessing Child Pornography

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A Blair County resident was indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown on a charge of possession of child pornography, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named John F. Boslet, 49, Altoona, Pa.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on Aug. 8, 2013, Boslet knowingly possessed images as computer graphic files containing child pornography, which had been shipped and transported in interstate or foreign commerce by means of a computer.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Haines is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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.justice.gov/psc.

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.