Soumya Rudra, Sex Crimes, Ohio 2023

AKRON, Ohio – A Pennsylvania man has been handed the maximum penalty for his heinous crimes against a minor. Soumya Rudra, 42, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams, following his guilty plea to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and to possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), also referred to as child pornography.

The defendant was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.

According to court documents, Rudra met the victim, who was 14-years old at the time of the incident, on the ‘Kiss Kiss’ dating game app. He then used the Snapchat social platform to text and talk to her via video calls throughout several months in 2023.

In late November 2023, Rudra made a 400-mile trek from Pennsylvania to Ohio to meet the underage victim. He admitted to picking her up in his vehicle to drive her to a hotel for the purpose of engaging in criminal sexual acts with her.

During the investigation, the defendant’s electronic devices recovered in the hotel room were found to contain multiple CSAM images involving other minors.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI-Canton Field Office and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.

To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The court documents reveal that Rudra, a resident of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, was well aware of the victim’s age and intentionally sought her out for illicit purposes. His actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the law and the well-being of a minor.

Rudra’s sentence is a testament to the severity of his crimes and a warning to those who would engage in similar behavior. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as necessary.

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