Michael Hochman, a 52-year-old resident of Warminster, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for downloading and collecting thousands of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge.
United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the sentencing, noting that Hochman had pleaded guilty in June to receipt of child pornography after being charged by information.
Hochman’s criminal history includes a 2002 conviction in Kansas for aggravated indecent liberties with a child. In that case, he communicated online with a 13-year-old girl, persuaded her to produce sexually explicit images, and traveled to Kansas where he engaged in sexual acts with the minor on multiple occasions. He was previously sentenced to 55 months’ imprisonment for those offenses.
The current prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program coordinates efforts among federal, state, and local agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit children online and to identify victims. More information about this initiative can be found at projectsafechildhood.gov.
The investigation into Hochman’s activities was conducted by FBI Philadelphia’s Fort Washington Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella prosecuted the case.
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