Pennsylvania man sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Pennsylvania man was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison and 10 years of supervised release for possessing child pornography. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

James L. Scott, 48, of West Decatur, Pa., who formerly worked at Center Hardwoods LLC in Tyrone, Pa., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kim R. Gibson. He was arrested by HSI special agents at his residence January 24, 2012.

According to the investigation, Scott knowingly possessed pictures and videos in computer graphic files which were produced using minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

"Child predators like Scott who believe they can get away with sharing sickening images of our children being victimized, are mistaken," said John Kelleghan, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia. "These predators may try to hide, but in reality, then cannot. HSI will use all of our global resources to track them down and bring them to justice."

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-843-5678.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.