JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Bedford, Pa., pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of distribution of child pornography, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Wade C. Baer, 31, of Bedford, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on Feb. 19, 2013, Baer distributed a picture via the Internet which depicted a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for Aug. 31, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence 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 offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Southwest Computer Crime Task Force of the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Baer.
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 better 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
