Blairsville Man Facing Child Exploitation Charges

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Blairsville, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, and distribution and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The three-count indictment, returned on April 9, 2013, named Charles Joseph Payson, 45.

According to the indictment presented to the court, in and around August 2010, Payson produced images of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. On or about Nov. 7-9, 2012, Payson distributed visual depictions of a minor. From August 2010 through Nov. 24, 2012, Payson possessed visual depictions, namely images and videos contained in computer, camera and cellular telephone graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 60 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Soo C. Song is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Pennsylvania State Police, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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