Clairton Resident Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Sex Offense Laws

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

Joseph Primiero, 27, pleaded guilty to Counts One and Five of the Indictment before United States District Court Judge Mark R. Hornak.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about January 24, 2022, Primiero produced images, and a video of a minor child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Then on or about June 27, 2022, Primiero once again produced an image and videos of another minor child engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Judge Hornak scheduled sentencing for June 3, 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 V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Primiero.
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.