Kristian E. Heller, Child Sexual Exploitation, Pennsylvania 2022

A former resident of Somerset County pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession and distribution of child pornography, according to a federal indictment.

Kristian E. Heller, 46, of Windber, PA pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

On or about April 20, 2021, Heller knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully, possessed one or more visual depictions, namely, videos and images in individual computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and which depict prepubescent minors and minors who have not attained 12 years of age, engaging in sexually explicit conduct, all of which had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, by means of a computer, and all of which had been produced using materials which had been mailed and shipped in interstate and foreign commerce.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for June 2, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant United States Attorney Arnold P. Bernard Jr. is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The law enforcement agency responsible for conducting the investigation that led to the prosecution of Heller was the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, aimed at combating the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

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