A man from Russellton, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor. Michael Rearick, 44, received his sentence on November 25, 2025, from United States District Judge Robert J. Colville. In addition to his prison term, Rearick will serve 10 years of supervised release and must pay $20,000 in restitution to his victim.
Court documents state that between April 21 and April 23, 2023, Rearick transported a minor from Pennsylvania to Canada with the intent for the minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan prosecuted the case. First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti recognized the efforts of Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the West Deer Township Police Department for their work on the investigation.
"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," according to First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti.
