A resident of Willett Road in Baldwin Borough has pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal child sexual exploitation laws, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton on Thursday.

Jerrold Brassart, 60, of 4043 Willett, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David Stewart Cercone to one count of possessing and accessing with intent to view visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Brassart committed the crime between Aug. 15, 2011, and Oct. 26, 2011. He was indicted by a federal grand jury later that year.

Judge Cercone scheduled Brassart's sentencing for Sept. 27, 2012. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under 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. (UPDATE: Cercone sentenced Brassart to serve 18 months in prison, followed by six years of supervised release.)

Though Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Hull was the original prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig W. Haller is now prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The FBI, Baldwin Borough Police Department and Pittsburgh High Tech Crimes Task Force conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

This case is a product of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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