PITTSBURGH—A former Allegheny 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.

David Hudak, 46, of Verona, Pennsylvania, 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 Feb. 3, 2013, Hudak employed, used, and coerced a minor, approximately five years of age, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a video depicting her sexual exploitation. The court was further informed that the video was taken in Hudak’s Verona residence, while the child victim was in his custody and care. The video was discovered on a computer seized from Hudak’s residence during the execution of search warrant. The search warrant was issued following an undercover investigation during which Hudak distributed videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors to an undercover officer.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for March 24, 2016, at 3 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years nor more than 30 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, supervised release for any term of years not less than five, and up to life, or any and all. 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.

Pending sentencing, the Court ordered that Hudak remain detained.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other members of the Western Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Hudak.