Michael J. Costello Guilty of Child Porn Distribution

Michael J. Costello, a 42-year-old man from Archbald, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to receiving and distributing child pornography, marking another grim chapter in the federal crackdown on online child sexual exploitation.

Costello admitted to using a computer between January and August 2014 to obtain and trade graphic images and videos depicting child sexual abuse. Authorities discovered more than 1,100 images and over 300 videos of child pornography during the investigation, all stored on devices linked to Costello.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francis P. Sempa and Evan J. Gotlob and brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. It was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police, highlighting the collaboration between federal and state forces in tracking digital predators.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006. The program mobilizes federal, state, and local resources to combat child sexual exploitation, focusing on apprehending offenders and rescuing victims.

Costello now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years, a fine, and a term of supervised release. U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion will determine the final sentence after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines, the severity of the crime, and Costello’s personal history.

The Department of Justice urges the public to report suspected child exploitation. For more information on Project Safe Childhood and internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

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