Sean Ryan McKenzie, Sexual Exploitation of Minors, Pennsylvania 2022

Perryopolis Man Indicted on Charges Involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors

In a shocking turn of events, a resident of Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, has been indicted on federal charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors. According to the indictment, 37-year-old Sean Ryan McKenzie attempted to and did use, persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct.

The indictment, returned on May 18, 2022, and unsealed today, also alleges that on March 1, 2022, McKenzie knowingly possessed visual depictions, namely, videos and images in computer graphic and digital files, the production of which involved the use of minors, including prepubescent minors who have not attained 12 years of age, engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

McKenzie, a resident of Perryopolis, PA, faces serious charges that carry severe penalties. If convicted, he could face a sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life imprisonment, as well as a fine of $250,000.00, or both.

The charges against McKenzie are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan on behalf of the government. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations—Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania State Police.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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