The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal grand jury in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania returned an indictment yesterday against Christopher G. Lee, age 65, a resident of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. The indictment charges Lee with alleged use of facilities in interstate commerce, specifically the Internet and telephone, to coerce and entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity, receipt of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Lee was taken into custody this morning by the FBI and the State College Police Department on the basis of an arrest warrant issued yesterday by United States Magistrate Judge Susan E. Schwab in Harrisburg. He appeared today before Magistrate Judge William I. Arbuckle, III, in Williamsport. After a hearing, Lee was ordered to be detained in federal custody.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the alleged unlawful conduct took place between January and June 2014 in Boalsburg at the premises of the Boal Mansion Museum which conducts activities including educational summer programs, known as “docent” programs, using students recruited from the United States and other countries as volunteer tour guides at the Museum.

Lee is the chief executive officer of the Boal Manison Museum. Alleged child pornography was found in connection with a search by State College Police during the investigation, which is continuing.

If convicted, Lee faces a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on the transportation offense, and a 5 year mandatory minimum on the receipt offense, as well as a $1 million fine.

This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State College Police Department and the Centre County District Attorney’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

Persons with information regarding this case or the continuing investigation should contact Special Agent Clifton Vikara, FBI, at (814) 234-0341 or the State College Police Department at (814) 234-7150.

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

A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.