Matthew Robert Sible, Child Pornography Possession and Distribution, Pennsylvania 2015

A Fayette County man has been charged with possessing and distributing child pornography, the latest in a string of disturbing cases to emerge in western Pennsylvania.

The indictment, which was returned on April 27, named Matthew Robert Sible, 30, of Fairchance, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Sible distributed images containing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors on several occasions in 2015, including July 13, July 23, August 4, and August 6.

The indictment further alleges that Sible knowingly possessed and accessed images in computer graphic files on August 19 and September 10, 2015, some of which involved minors who had not yet attained the age of 12.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 120 years in prison, a fine of $1,500,000.00 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 Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The investigation, which was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and Office of Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, is a stark reminder of the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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.

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