In a shocking turn of events, a Verona man has been accused of violating child exploitation laws. John O’Donnell, 50, of Verona, Pennsylvania, has been charged with attempted production, production, distribution and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.
The eight-count indictment, returned on March 21, 2015, alleges that O’Donnell employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing or attempting to produce a visual depiction of the sexual exploitation of the minor on multiple dates, including February 28, 2015, March 4, 2015, March 9, 2015, March 24, 2015, April 3, 2015, and April 14, 2015.
The indictment also alleges that O’Donnell knowingly distributed videos and images in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not yet attained 12 years of age, on October 25, 2017. Additionally, it is alleged that O’Donnell knowingly possessed videos and images in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not yet attained 12 years of age, on December 20, 2017.
O’Donnell was arrested on Friday and today was ordered to be detained pending trial.
The law provides for a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum total sentence of 210 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 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 Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Child Exploitation|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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