Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Randall Lose, 36, of Howard, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, to production of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 30 years, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O’Donnell, who is handling the case, stated that the investigation was initiated by the City of Tonawanda Police Department after receiving a complaint from the parent of a minor victim. The information was then forwarded to the FBI. During the investigation, it was determined that the defendant, who resided in Pennsylvania, used the Internet to communicate with a minor female living in Western New York. Lose instructed her to engage in various sexual acts on camera, which he then viewed via Skype and recorded.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Lanser, and the City of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Strassburg.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.