JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A former resident of Altoona, PA pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.
Matthew Michael Walter., 34, formerly of Altoona, PA, pleaded guilty to Count Two of the Indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, on or August 21, 2019 and August 22, 2019, Walter received images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further, on another occasion,
Walter knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. All computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for January 20, 2022. The law provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and a maximum of 20 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Walter.
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