Anthony Cerasi, Child Sex Exploitation, PA 2024

A 46-year-old Pittsburgh man has been indicted on federal charges for producing child sexual abuse material, marking another grim chapter in the city’s battle against predators who exploit minors online. Anthony Cerasi was named in a one-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury, accusing him of using a minor female to create sexually explicit videos.

The indictment alleges that on April 13, 2021, Cerasi used and attempted to use Minor A—identified only as a young girl—to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions. The material in question includes videos showing the child in explicit acts, crafted for distribution or private possession, federal prosecutors say.

Cerasi now faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, with a maximum sentence of 30 years if convicted. A fine of up to $250,000 may also be imposed. Under federal sentencing guidelines, the final term will depend on the severity of the offense and any prior criminal record, though details of past convictions have not yet been disclosed.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is leading the prosecution in what authorities are calling a textbook case of domestic child sexual exploitation. The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.

This case was pursued under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat the rising tide of child sexual abuse across the U.S. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to track down offenders, dismantle networks, and rescue victims before further harm occurs.

An indictment is not a conviction. Anthony Cerasi is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case continues to unfold in the Western District of Pennsylvania, where federal authorities vow no leniency for those who prey on children.