Slippery Rock Man Indicted in Child Porn Case

PITTSBURGH, PA – Mark Beres, 53, of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, is facing a potential lifetime behind bars after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of receiving and possessing horrific material depicting the sexual exploitation of children. The indictment, unsealed today, details a disturbing pattern of behavior stretching back over several years.

According to the six-count indictment announced by United States Attorney David J. Hickton, Beres knowingly received sexually explicit depictions of minors via both computer and the United States Mail on multiple occasions: July 1, 2008, August 30, 2008, February 1, 2009, December 20, 2010, and April 11, 2011. This isn’t simply about possessing illegally obtained images; the indictment alleges a deliberate effort to seek out and consume this vile content.

The charges don’t stop there. On or around April 23, 2013, Beres is accused of knowingly possessing videos and images stored as computer graphic files – files created through the sexual exploitation of children. This suggests a deeper level of involvement than simply receiving downloaded material. The US Postal Inspection Service played a key role in uncovering this alleged activity.

If convicted on all counts, Beres faces a maximum total sentence of 110 years in prison, alongside a staggering $1,500,000 fine. However, the actual sentence will be determined by Federal Sentencing Guidelines, factoring in the severity of the crimes and any prior criminal record. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is leading the prosecution, signaling the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating this case.

This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice. The program is a concerted effort to combat the escalating epidemic of child sexual abuse and exploitation, pooling resources from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify predators and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.

It is crucial to remember that an indictment is simply an accusation. Mark Beres is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the evidence presented in this case, if proven true, paints a grim picture of a man allegedly preying on the most vulnerable members of society. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.