March 9, 2015

Philadelphia Woman Admits She Exploited 6-Year-Old and Infant

PHILADELPHIA—Christine Yoder, 32, of Philadelphia, PA, pleaded guilty today to charges in a case of child exploitation that involved the alleged sexual abuse of a six year old and a 16 month old. Yoder was charged with two counts of employing a child to produce images of the child engaged in sexually explicit conduct and two counts of distributing material involving the sexual exploitation of children. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 10, 2015.

In May of 2014, Yoder sent a photograph to an undercover FBI agent of a six-year-old (“Minor #1”), which depicted that child engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Thereafter, Yoder offered to fly Minor #1 to Detroit for sexual activity. Yoder also produced pornographic photographs of a 16-month old.

Yoder faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. She also faces a fine of up to $1 million, a special assessment of $400, and a mandatory minimum five-year term of supervised release up to a lifetime of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen.