ERIE, Pa. – In a chilling revelation from the federal courts, Douglas E. Melter, 32, of Erie, has pleaded guilty to charges that include child exploitation and violations of federal firearms laws, according to United States Attorney David J. Hickton.
Melter, before Senior United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr., admitted to attempting to coerce a woman into procuring a minor for his sexual abuse and photographing them nude. The court also heard that Melter possessed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on his computer, as well as having a firearm following multiple felony convictions.
The gravity of the charges means Melter could face life imprisonment, a fine of $750,000, or both. Sentencing is pending at a later date, with the final sentence to be determined by the severity of the offenses and any criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is leading the prosecution against Melter on behalf of the government. The investigation that led to Melter’s arrest was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Erie Police Department.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative launched in 2006 to combat online exploitation and abuse of children. For more information on this critical program, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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