Avonmore Resident Pleads Guilty to Producing and Possessing Images of Minor Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Avonmore, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal sex offense laws, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Kenneth Bee, 54, pleaded guilty to Counts One through Four of the Indictment before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, over a several year period, Bee produced images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further, in and around September 2022, Bee possessed images of prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Judge Haines scheduled sentencing for March 24, 2026. The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bee. Other agencies involved include the Armstrong County District Attorney’s Office and the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office.

This case was brought as a 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.