Pittston Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Court for Accessing Child Pornography
Robert Brandt, a 39-year-old man from Pittston, was sentenced in federal court on Tuesday for accessing child pornography with the intent to view it. Brandt plead guilty to the charges in January and will serve 18 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker also ordered him to pay $18,000 in restitution.
According to court records, Brandt accessed computer files containing child sexual abuse material between October 2022 and October 2023. He accessed these files on a pornography-oriented website where he actively sought out addresses for child pornography. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case and found that Brandt had accessed images and videos showing children under the age of 12 being abused by adult men.
This case highlights the seriousness of accessing child pornography and the legal consequences that come with it. The judge’s decision to sentence Brandt to prison time, supervised release, and restitution underscores the importance of deterring individuals from engaging in such criminal activities. It serves as a reminder that law enforcement agencies, such as Homeland Security Investigations, are actively working to combat the distribution and consumption of child sexual abuse material online.
Brandt’s sentencing serves as a warning to others who may be engaging in similar illegal activities, emphasizing that there are severe penalties for those who choose to access or distribute child pornography. The justice system will continue to hold individuals accountable for their actions in order to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.
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