Mark Beres, Child Pornography, Pennsylvania 2013

PITTSBURGH – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Mark Beres, a 54-year-old man from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to receiving and possessing child pornography. Beres, formerly of Slippery Rock, Pa., appeared in federal court before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti, where he admitted to two counts of the serious crime.

According to the court, Beres knowingly received visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct by computer and the United States Mail on July 1, 2008. The indictment also charges that on or about April 23, 2013, Beres knowingly possessed videos and images in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both for Beres’ crimes. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based on 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 United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Beres.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.

Mark Beres’ sentencing is scheduled for October 31, 2014, at 10 a.m. The public is urged to remain vigilant in reporting any suspicious activity related to child exploitation. If you suspect someone of committing such crimes, please contact the authorities immediately.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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