Craig Kimmel, Child Exploitation, Pennsylvania 2025

A shocking case of child exploitation has come to light in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, as 54-year-old Craig Kimmel faces serious charges. According to a federal indictment, Kimmel attempted to produce a visual depiction containing the sexual exploitation of a child.

As reported by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Kimmel’s indictment was handed down on August 6, 2025. The charges are the result of a thorough investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Dukes is prosecuting the case, which has sparked widespread concern for the safety and well-being of local children. The indictment alleges that Kimmel attempted to produce a visual depiction containing the sexual exploitation of a child, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of a lifetime term of imprisonment.

Kimmel’s previous conviction in Schuylkill County for indecent assault and attempted statutory rape has significantly increased the mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment on this count. The indictment further charges Kimmel with coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution and any sexual activity for which he could be charged with a crime.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program is a collaborative effort between the United States Attorneys’ Offices, the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and other federal, state, and local agencies.

Kimmel’s indictment serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance in protecting our children from the scourge of child exploitation. As the investigation unfolds, our thoughts are with the victims and their families, who deserve justice and support during this difficult time.

Indictments are only allegations, and all persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. The case will be heard in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, where Kimmel will face the consequences of his alleged actions.

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