PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Grove City, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Matthew A. Switzer, 33, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on April 9, 2018, Switzer persuaded, induced, and coerced a four-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing May 30, 2019, at 9 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years or more than 30 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. Switzer remains under detention pending the sentencing hearing.
Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Switzer.
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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
