PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Justin Darby, 37, formerly of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, will spend the next two decades behind bars after receiving a 240-month federal sentence for sickening crimes against children and a brazen attempt to cover his tracks. The sentence, handed down August 27, 2025, by United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan, also includes 10 years of supervised release and a hefty $28,000 in restitution to his victims.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan, detailed a disturbing pattern of abuse. Darby was convicted of violating federal law concerning the sexual exploitation of minors, specifically inducing and receiving sexually explicit images from multiple children. The timeline of his depravity stretches back to October 28, 2021, when he actively attempted to destroy evidence related to the investigation, deleting records from his phone as FBI agents moved to execute a search warrant at his residence.
Evidence presented to the court revealed that Darby didn’t stop there. On February 6, 2024, he was found guilty of directly soliciting sexually explicit content from a minor via a social media application. But the scope of his crimes ran even deeper. Darby admitted responsibility for additional offenses involving at least three other minors, whom he manipulated into sending him compromising visual depictions through text messages and social media throughout 2023 and early 2024.
Judge Ranjan didn’t mince words when delivering the sentence, explicitly citing Darby’s “lack of respect for the law” and his “continued pattern of criminal behavior” as justification for the lengthy prison term. The judge clearly signaled that such predatory actions will not be tolerated, and that attempts to obstruct justice will be met with severe consequences.
Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti praised the collaborative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations in bringing Darby to justice. “This investigation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting children and holding accountable those who prey upon them,” Rivetti stated. This case was prosecuted under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 aimed at dismantling networks of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to identify and rescue victims, as well as to prosecute offenders. Anyone with information regarding child exploitation is urged to contact the authorities. For more information on Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc. This case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat of online exploitation and the vital importance of vigilance and reporting.
RELATED: Mail Thief Mazzccua Gets a Year in Federal Prison
RELATED: Chester Man Hameed Gets 8 Years in Gov Home Fraud
Related Federal Cases
- Trax Gets 15 Years for Exploiting 14-Year-Old Girl · Pennsylvania
- Trax Gets 15 Years for Exploiting 14-Year-Old · Pennsylvania
- Heck Gets 15 Years for Exploiting a Child · Pennsylvania
- Darkes Gets 20 Months for Failing to Register · Pennsylvania
- Oil City Predator: Glass Gets 37 Months for Child Porn · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Sex CrimesSex CrimesSex CrimesSex Crimes