Ohio Man Charged with Possessing Child Pornography

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Fairfield, Ohio, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of child pornography, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Richard Jay Sharp, 54.

According to the Indictment, on or about November 22, 2016, Sharp possessed child pornography on various electronic devices he owns, including laptop computers and thumb drives.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin A. Loughran is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

An Indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.