Scott Joseph Payne, Coercion and Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity, Pennsylvania 2020

A former resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has admitted to coercing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and possessing child pornography, authorities said.

Scott Joseph Payne, 32, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and possession of child pornography, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

The crimes allegedly took place in June 2017, when Payne, posing as a teenage female, engaged in online conversations with three minors, including a 12-year-old male in Pennsylvania, a 15-year-old male in New Jersey, and a 16-year-old male in Louisiana.

Payne allegedly persuaded the minors to produce and share explicit images and videos of themselves, and was in possession of these materials when law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at his residence on June 19, 2017.

Payne has a prior conviction for sexual abuse of children and possession of child pornography, for which he was serving a term of probation at the time of his arrest.

As a registered Megan's Law sex offender, Payne was required to comply with probation terms, which included regular check-ins with law enforcement and restrictions on his interactions with minors.

Prior convictions and current charges have resulted in Payne's detention pending the resolution of the case.

Payne is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2020, and faces a prison sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life, as well as a fine of $500,000.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa/pr/mckeesport-sex-offender-admits-coercing-minor-engage-illegal-sexual-activity-and