Shaler Twp. Man Possessed 60 Videos and Nearly 3000 Images of Child Pornography

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Brian R. Reddinger, 36, of Shaler Township pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in the fall of 2016, Homeland Security Investigations was conducting an online investigation into the internet sharing of child pornography.  As part of the investigation, a special agent was able to connect to a device that was sharing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors and download a suspected child porn file.  The investigation led to Brian Reddinger.

On November 1, 2016, agents executed a search warrant on Reddinger’s home.  Reddinger admitted to searching, downloading, viewing and possessing child porn.  He stated that his downloads are highly structured on his computer.  He further stated that he downloaded files of individuals as young as five years of age.  He stated that he searches for child porn once a week using child porn terms and that although he deletes a lot of files, he has “probably a gross number” of child porn.  He then asked the agents if they could delete or overlook the situation.  Three of the items seized from Reddinger contained child porn.  In total, there were 2,932 images and 60 videos of child porn on the devices. 

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for January 9, 2020.  The law provides for a maximum 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(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.  Indicate relevant bond/detention information if known

Pending sentencing, the court continued Reddinger’s bond.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.  The Department of Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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 (CEOS), 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.