Nitro man sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for enticement of a minor

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Nitro man was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for a sex crime involving a minor, announced United States Attorney Carol Casto. Mark Anthony Levitt, 38, previously pleaded guilty to using an app on his cell phone to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. After Levitt is released from prison, he will be on federal supervised release for 25 years and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Levitt admitted that from June 2015 through July 2015, he used his cell phone to send sexually explicit messages to persuade and induce a 14-year-old minor to engage in criminal sexual activity.

“This sentence sends a clear message that those who exploit and abuse minors face serious consequences,” stated United States Attorney Carol Casto. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue making it a top priority to hold sexual predators accountable by working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. We are willing to dedicate whatever resources are necessary to make sure these cases are prosecuted.”

The Nitro Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution. United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr., imposed the sentence.

This prosecution was brought as part of an ongoing initiative of the United States Attorney’s Office to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.

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