A Bridgeville, Pennsylvania resident has pleaded guilty to charges related to the production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the plea by Matthew Trax, 25, on April 25, 2025, before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.
"Matthew Trax, 25, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy."
The court was informed that on or about November 30, 2023, Trax enticed a 14-year-old female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction. Trax knew that the depiction would be transported in and would affect interstate commerce or be created using a means and facility of interstate commerce. Trax sent the minor nine images and one video of himself engaged in sexual intercourse with her, which he had recorded on his phone.
"Judge Hardy scheduled Trax’s sentencing for August 21, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $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."
Trax remains in detention pending his sentencing hearing.
"Assistant United States Attorney Nicole A. Stockey is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government."
The investigation that led to Trax's prosecution was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mt. Lebanon Police Department.
"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 (CEOS), 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."
For further information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the Department of Justice's official website.