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Press Release

Freedom Resident Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Receipt of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Freedom, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on November 19, 2024, to 74 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction for receiving material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

Chief United States District Judge Mark R. Hornak imposed the sentence on Mark Kriss, 66, also ordering that Kriss register as a sex offender under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and pay restitution in the amount of $3,000 to the minor victim.

According to information presented to the Court, Kriss made contact with a 14-year-old minor over an adult dating website and, on May 22, 2021, received digital photographs from the minor depicting her sexual exploitation. Kriss also acknowledged responsibility for meeting the minor for the purpose of engaging in sex acts at a local motel.

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

United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Northern Regional Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Kriss.

Updated November 20, 2024