Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Charge

PITTSBURGH, PA - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Ryan Grasha, 24, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on January 31, 2018, Grasha possessed approximately 250 images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, some of whom were under the age of 12 years. Grasha obtained and distributed the sexually exploitive images over the Internet, using the "Omegle" and "Kik" peer-to-peer networks.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for May 14, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Grasha remains on bond pending sentencing.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Grasha.

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.justice.gov/psc.