PITTSBURGH - A former resident of Washington County, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of Production of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Sean Houston, age 47, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on May 20, 2016 and from July 22, 2017 through October 2018, Houston produced and attempted to produce visual depictions of the sexual exploitation of a minor. Additionally, on October 29, 2018, Houston knowingly possessed visual depictions of the sexual exploitation of minors.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for May 11, 2020. The law provides for a sentence of not less than 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $750,000.00, 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 Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Centerville Police Department, the North Strabane Police Department, and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Houston.

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.

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Fayette County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The eight-count Indictment, returned on June 26, named Sean Houston, age 47, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to indictment, on or about December 23, 2015; May 20, 2016; October 2016 to October 2018; July 22, 2017 to October 2018; May 2018 to October 2018; October 2016 to October 2018; and October 5, 2018, Houston produced and attempted to produce visual depictions, images and a video of the sexual exploitation of a minor. The Indictment further alleges that on or about October 29, 2018, Houston knowingly possessed visual depictions of the sexual exploitation of minors.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of life imprisonment for the production and attempted production of child pornography, a fine of $2,000,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

Homeland Security Investigations, the Centerville Police Department, the North Strabane Police Department and the Washington County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

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

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.