Judge Finds Altoona Man Guilty of Distributing Child Sex Assault Materials

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Altoona, PA, has been found guilty of distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Jamie Lee Richardson, 52, of Altoona, PA, was convicted by Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson following a bench trial to Count One of an Information. According to information presented to the Court, from on or about October 30, 2014, Richardson did knowingly distribute a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in individual computer graphic files which were produced using prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. All computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

Richardson is scheduled to be sentenced on June 6, 2023.

The law provides for a minimum of 5 years in prison to a maximum of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed on the defendant would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

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

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Richardson.

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 better 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.