Pennsylvania Man Charged with Traveling to Have Sex with a Minor in Massachusetts and Production of Child Pornography

BOSTON, MA—A Pennsylvania man was arrested and detained for producing child pornography and traveling to Massachusetts to engage in sexual conduct with a minor.

DERICK RITTER, 40, of York, Pa., was charged with production of child pornography, enticement of a minor, and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. RITTER appeared this morning in federal court in Pennsylvania where he was detained. In the near future, he will be brought to Massachusetts to face the charges.

The indictment alleges that from January 2008 to May 2008, RITTER knowingly persuaded a minor, in Holden, Mass. to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual image of that conduct. During the same time period, the indictment alleges that RITTER used a facility of interstate commerce to persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity. In addition, it is alleged that in April 2008, RITTER traveled to Leominster, Mass. for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor.

If convicted on these charges, RITTER faces a minimum of 15 years in prison to be followed by at least five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The FBI Boston Field Division received investigative assistance from its Philadelphia Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karin M. Bell of Ortiz’s Worcester Branch Office.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.