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PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of distributing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Gary Whisner, age 36, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 5, 2017, Whisner distributed multiple videos containing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, including two females who were approximately 10 years old. A subsequent search of Whisner’s electronic devices revealed approximately 10,700 images and 800 videos that depicted child pornography.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for May 27, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than five years to a maximum of 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 Mark V. Gurzo is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Whisner.
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.