Lebanon County Man Charged With Distributing Child Pornography

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Charles Witherson, III, age 38, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was charged by a federal grand jury with distributing child pornography. 

According to U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that on February 5, 2024, in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, Witherson distributed child pornography. The indictment also alleges that on March 29, 2024, Witherson possessed images of child pornography, including images involving a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit  www.usdoj.gov/psc.

The FBI investigated the case, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Haugsby.

The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a lifetime term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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