A Uniontown man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Wednesday to possessing materials depicting the sexual exploitation of minors after investigators confiscated his computers containing 1,189 downloaded images of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady said Jason A. Early, 41, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior Judge Donetta Ambrose.
Department of Homeland Security Investigations were led to Early as part of a nationwide crackdown by the U.S. Justice Department on the sharing of child pornography.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Early’s residence in 2017 and a forensic review of his devices revealed 1,181 images and videos depicting child pornography, including images and videos of toddlers 2 or 3 years of age, as well as bondage, according to the complaint.
Early admitted to viewing pornography through peer-to-peer programs and admitted having downloaded images on his MacBook and on two external hard drives.
Ambrose scheduled sentencing for Aug. 22.
Brady said the law provides for a maximum sentence of not more than 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both.
Pending sentencing, Ambrose continued Early’s unsecured $50,000 bond.
