Coraopolis Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Coraopolis Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Christopher A. Sennett pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on September 26, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sennett’s residence in Coraopolis, PA, during which the officers seized a computer and Apple iPhone, both of which were found to contain videos and still images of child sexual abuse material. Forensic analysis of the electronic equipment revealed 120 videos and 9 still photographs depicting the sexual exploitation of minor females.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for October 3, 2022, at 1:45 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Sennett remain on bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other members of the Western Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Christopher A. Sennett.

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.