Dennis Michael Kerr Indicted

A Meadville, Pennsylvania man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children. Dennis Michael Kerr, 27, was named as the sole defendant in the three-count indictment.

According to the indictment, Kerr received, transported and possessed computer images and movies depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 50 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation leading to the indictment in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced the indictment, which was presented to the court. The case is a significant development in the ongoing effort to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the United States. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The indictment of Dennis Michael Kerr is a reminder that the sexual exploitation of children is a serious crime that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Department of Justice and its partners are committed to protecting children from abuse and exploitation, and to holding accountable those who engage in these heinous crimes.