JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Osterburg, Pa., has been sentenced in federal court to 36 months imprisonment, 10 years supervised release, and required to register as a sex offender on his conviction of possession of child pornography, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Joseph Yingling, 40.
According to information presented to the court, on Aug. 4, 2009, Yingling knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
U.S. Attorney Hickton commended Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Yingling.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in Feb. 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
