Uniontown Man Held 1,181 Child Porn Images

Jason A. Early, a 41-year-old Uniontown man, admitted in federal court to possessing 1,181 images and videos of child sexual exploitation, including graphic depictions of toddlers as young as 2 and 3 years old bound in bondage. The grim discovery followed a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) probe into online child pornography networks.

Early pleaded guilty yesterday before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose, caving under the weight of forensic evidence gathered during a 2017 search of his home. Agents seized multiple digital devices, including a MacBook and two external hard drives, all packed with illicit material collected through peer-to-peer file-sharing programs.

According to court filings, HSI launched the investigation in October 2017 after tracing illegal file transfers tied to the distribution of child pornography. Investigators obtained a warrant, raided Early’s residence, and uncovered a trove of deeply disturbing content. The defendant admitted he not only viewed the material but stored and retained it for prolonged periods.

Under federal law, Early now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual term will be determined under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, weighing the severity of the offense and any prior criminal history. Judge Ambrose has scheduled sentencing for August 22, 2019, and allowed Early to remain on bond until then.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is leading the prosecution in what federal authorities are calling a textbook case of online child exploitation. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations spearheaded the probe, which was funneled through Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide DOJ initiative launched in 2006 to dismantle networks of child sexual abuse and rescue victims.

Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local law enforcement to target predators who exploit minors. Early’s case underscores the reach of digital investigations and the brutal reality of child sexual abuse material circulating in hidden corners of the internet. More information on the initiative is available at www.justice.gov/psc.