Lehigh County Man Indicted On Child Exploitation Charges

PHILADELPHIA - Michael Lees, a/k/a “Michael Lewis,” a/k/a “Michael Dontask,” 39, of Catasaqua, PA, was charged yesterday by indictment with the enticement of a minor, production of child pornography, attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

According to the indictment, between October and December of 2015, Lees contacted, via Internet, a person that he believed was a 12-year old child and enticed that person to engage in sexual activity and to create a visual depiction of that activity.  It is further alleged that Lees possessed a cell phone containing child pornography.

If convicted the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison up to life, a mandatory minimum of five years of supervised release, a $500 special assessment, and an additional $25,000 special assessment, and a possible fine.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys= Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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 to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sherri A. Stephan.

An Indictment is an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.