A disturbing case of child exploitation has come to light in western Pennsylvania, where a 30-year-old man has pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography. Ryan Henry Miller, a resident of West Mifflin, Pa., appeared in federal court on a single count of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to court documents, Miller knowingly possessed videos and images in computer graphic files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, some of whom had not yet attained 12 years of age. The illicit material was discovered on or about July 17, 2014.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar on behalf of the government. The investigation that led to Miller’s prosecution was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the West Mifflin Police Department.
As part of the plea agreement, Judge Arthur J. Schwab scheduled sentencing for June 2, 2015, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. The actual sentence imposed will depend on the seriousness of the offense and any prior criminal history Miller may have.
Miller’s guilty plea comes as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the federal government to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about child exploitation to come forward. The public can report suspicious activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Grimy Times will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Related Federal Cases
- Stephen Dalton Fleming, Jr., Child Pornography, Pennsylvania 2026 · Delaware
- Hubert Young, Sextortion and Child Pornography Production, NJ 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Jack A. Taylor, Producing Child Pornography, Indiana 2006 · Pennsylvania
- Wesley Chase, Child Exploitation, Pennsylvania 2024 · Pennsylvania
- Jeannette Woman Indicted in Child Exploitation Case, Jeannette PA, … · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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