New Kensington Man Admits Possessing, Distributing Child Pornography

PITTSBURGH - A resident of New Kensington, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating the federal child exploitation laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Mark Randall Salego, 53, pleaded guilty to one count of possession and one count of distribution of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose. He possessed the materials on Feb. 28, 2013 and distributed them on Jan. 27, 2013.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for April 8, 2014. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 5 years and up to 20 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Amy L. Johnston is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Mark Salego.