Carbondale Woman Charged with Producing & Distributing Child Porn

SCRANTON – A gruesome child pornography case has surfaced in Lackawanna County, as 25-year-old Mykayliah Hevener of Carbondale faces federal charges for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Hevener was indicted on April 23, 2024, on charges of producing and distributing child pornography. The indictment alleges that in 2023, Hevener produced and distributed images and videos of herself engaging in sexual contact with a toddler.

US Attorney Gerard M. Karam revealed that the production and distribution of these disturbing materials took place in 2023, leaving a trail of destruction and trauma for the young victim. The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti taking on the prosecution.

The case against Hevener is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This collaborative effort brings together federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, while also identifying and rescuing victims.

The maximum penalty under federal law for producing and distributing child pornography is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. While Hevener maintains her innocence, the prosecution will push for the maximum sentence if convicted.

It’s crucial to remember that indictments are mere allegations, and all persons charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in court. Hevener’s case serves as a stark reminder of the severity of child pornography crimes and the importance of continued efforts to combat this heinous epidemic.

The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative has been instrumental in bringing perpetrators to justice and providing support to victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.