Karen R. Allen, James Clark, Sexually Exploiting a Minor, Pennsylvania 2024

PITTSBURGH, Pa – In a shocking case of child exploitation, two residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been charged with coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Karen R. Allen, 37, and James Clark, 38, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Sexual Exploitation of Children.

According to the indictment, on multiple occasions in August 2024, Allen and Clark coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of this conduct.

Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the indictment, which has been unsealed and both defendants appeared for arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Kezia O. L. Taylor.

The law provides for a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentences imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schupansky is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this 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. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.

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

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/two-pittsburgh-residents-charged-coercing-minor-engage-sexually-explicit-conduct