Mercer man to serve 35 years for child sex crimes

PITTSBURGH

A Mercer, Pa., man pleaded guilty in federal court to two charges of producing child pornography, U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton said Friday.

Armando Cruz, 44, of North Pitt Street, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on March 6, 2011, and June 12, 2011, in Mercer, Cruz used children to engage in sexually explicit conduct.

Cruz had sexual contact with four children, three under 12, for the purpose of producing videos and photographs that he distributed to other men, one in Denver and one in San Diego.

Cruz will serve a 35-year prison term. Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 5.