Earnest Lee Pittman Jr., Online Child Enticement, Pennsylvania 2020

A Cresco man has been charged with attempting to entice a minor for sex online, authorities announced Thursday.

Earnest Lee Pittman Jr., 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 1, 2020, on online child enticement charges, according to United States Attorney David J. Freed.

According to the indictment, between August 4-12, 2020, Pittman used the internet, a computer, and a cellular telephone in an attempt to entice an individual under the age of 18 to engage in sexual activities.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kingston Municipal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jenny P. Roberts is prosecuting the case.

This 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.

Pittman is charged with one count of online child enticement, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/cresco-man-indicted-online-child-enticement