A Serbian student attending a university in Erie, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Lav Adamov, 20, from Zrenjanin, Serbia, is in the United States on a student visa and resides in Syracuse, New York. According to the indictment, Adamov allegedly received material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor between January 13 and May 15, 2025. The indictment also alleges that Adamov possessed similar material in May 2025.
If convicted on the receipt charge, Adamov faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The possession charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing will depend on the seriousness of the offenses and any prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting the case for the government. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, City of Erie Police Department, and university police.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood coordinates resources at federal, state, and local levels to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information about this initiative can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
"An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty," stated officials.
