PITTSBURGH – A disturbing case of child exploitation has come to a close in federal court. Michael Powers, a 66-year-old resident of Duquesne Heights, has been sentenced to 32 months of imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his conviction of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
United States District Judge Terrence F. McVerry imposed the sentence on Powers, who knowingly possessed videos and images in computer graphic files on or about June 21, 2013. The production of these files involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Pittsburgh Police Department for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Powers.
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. The program marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
Powers’ conviction serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child exploitation on victims and their families. As a community, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent and prosecute these heinous crimes.
The investigation into Powers’ activities was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Pittsburgh Police Department. Their tireless work helped bring a perpetrator to justice and ensured that the victims of child exploitation receive the support and resources they need to heal.
In related news, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is urging parents and guardians to educate themselves and their children about online safety and the dangers of child exploitation. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Related Federal Cases
- James Robert Reynolds, Child Pornography Possession, Pennsylvania 2011 · Pennsylvania
- Jeffrey Curtis Drexler, Possession of Child Pornography, Pennsylvania 2023 · Iowa
- Michael Charles Clarke, Child Pornography Production, Pennsylvania 2016 · Iowa
- Timothy Rissmiller, Child Pornography Possession, Pennsylvania 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Michael J. Costello, Child Pornography Distribution, Pennsylvania 2014 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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