Michael Brooks, Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Pennsylvania 2021

A 54-year-old McKeesport man has pleaded guilty to a child exploitation charge in federal court, according to authorities.

Michael Brooks, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of Material Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan, a court release said.

According to the court, Brooks was found in possession of over 540 still images in computer graphics and digital files depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, many of whom were under the age of 12 years, during a search warrant at his residence on March 25, 2020.

Brooks’ guilty plea comes with serious consequences, including a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. The actual sentence will be determined by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, based on the seriousness of the offense and Brooks’ prior criminal history.

As part of his conditions of release, Brooks was ordered to remain on bond and register as a sex offender in Pennsylvania under the provisions of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to Brooks’ prosecution.

The 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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