PITTSBURGH—A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Donald L. Starkey, 57, of Beaver Falls, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Maurice B. Cohill, Jr.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on June 4, 2012, Starkey, then 54 years of age, transported a 15-year-old female from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and engaged in sexual intercourse en route and while in North Carolina. A bystander observed Starkey and the minor female playing pool at a truck stop in Guilford County, North Carolina, and reported them to local authorities.

Judge Cohill scheduled sentencing for Sept. 10, 2015, at 11 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years in prison or more than life, a fine of $750,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The court detained Starkey pending his sentencing hearing.

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

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Beaver County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Donald L. Starkey.