PRESS RELEASE: Jeannette, Pennsylvania Man, Timothy Kelly Charged with Possessing Sexually Explicit Images and Videos of Children

U.S. Attorney’s Office
March 19, 2013

Western District of Pennsylvania
(412) 644-3500

Jeannette Man Charged with Possessing Sexually Explicit Images and Videos of Children

PITTSBURGH—A Westmoreland County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Timothy Kelly, 38, formerly of 311 S. Fifth Street, Jeannette, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, on or about February 11, 2013, Kelly possessed visual depictions, namely, videos and images in computer graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, 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.

Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Greensburg Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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.