New York Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling to Pennsylvania for the Purpose of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct

ERIE, PA—A former resident of Ashville, New York pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal laws relating to the sexual exploitation of children, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

David Michael Lopus, 42, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Sean J. McLaughlin.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Lopus traveled from New York to Pennsylvania on four separate occasions for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors. As part ofhis plea agreement, Lopus agreed to a sentence of21 years of imprisonment and lifetime supervised release.

Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Judge McLaughlin scheduled sentencing for May 13, 2013, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of90 years in prison, a fine of$750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Christian A. Trabold is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Conewango Township Police Department, the City of Warren Police Department, and the Corry Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Lopus.