Mercer Co. man pleads guilty to child-porn charge

Staff report

PITTSBURGH

A Mercer County resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Joseph L. Bryer, 53, of Grove City, Pa., entered his plea earlier this week before U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak, who will sentence him at 2 p.m. Oct. 9.

On Aug. 23, 2011, Bryer possessed photos and videos in computer-graphics files, the production of which involved the use of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, the U.S. attorney said.

The still images and videos were downloaded and shared using peer-to-peer software on Bryer’s computer, and some of the videos depicted prepubescent girls engaging in sex acts with adults, the U.S. attorney added.

The maximum sentence is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Homeland Security Investigations division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the assistance of the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case.