August 12, 2015

PSP Fingerprint Expert Identifies Child Pornography Producer by Analyzing Ridges in Photo

PITTSBURGH—A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Tyler Seevers, 25, formerly of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on July 20 and 21, 2014, Seevers produced sexually explicit photographs of a female child, three years of age, using an iPod Touch. The iPod Touch was turned over to law enforcement by the victim’s mother who had discovered the photographs of her daughter. Forensic analysis of the contents of the iPod Touch revealed images of both the three-year-old and her older sister. One such sexually exploitive photograph depicted the ridges of the photographer’s fingertips. A fingerprint analyst with the Pennsylvania State Police was able to identify Seevers’ hand as that depicted in the photograph.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Dec. 2, 2015, at 11 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years, nor more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00 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.

Seevers will remain in custody pending the sentencing proceeding.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, The Pennsylvania State Police, and the Hopewell Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tyler Seevers.