Thomas Hunt, Minor Sex Coercion Attempt, PA 2024

Thomas Hunt, a 30-year-old Pittsburgh man, is behind bars facing federal charges after being indicted for attempting to coerce a minor into illegal sexual activity. Hunt, currently held at Allegheny County Jail, was named in a one-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, according to Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman.

The indictment alleges Hunt engaged in a month-long attempt to entice and manipulate a minor between September 13, 2021, and October 13, 2021. Though the specifics of the interactions remain under court seal, federal prosecutors say the evidence points to a deliberate and calculated effort to exploit a child.

Hunt now faces a potential sentence of no less than ten years and up to life in federal prison. The charge also carries a maximum fine of $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the final sentence will hinge on the severity of the offense and Hunt’s criminal history—though no prior convictions have been disclosed.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin J. Risacher is leading the prosecution. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which tracked digital communications and online activity linking Hunt to the attempted coercion.

This case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The program unites federal, state, and local agencies to target predators, dismantle networks, and rescue victims.

An indictment is not a conviction. Thomas Hunt is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The case will proceed to trial unless resolved by plea agreement.