PITTSBURGH—A Washington County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of receipt of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, and a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The two-count indictment, returned on Dec. 16, named Michael G. Williams, 47, of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, from on or about June 18, 2015, and continuing thereafter to on or about June 25, 2015, Williams knowingly received visual depictions, namely, videos and images in computer graphics and digital files, the production of which involved the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment further charges that Williams, on July 15, 2015, unlawfully possessed in computer graphics files photographs and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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