Pennsylvania woman charged with producing, distributing sexually explicit images of minor

PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania woman who allegedly produced, then distributed sexually explicit images of a minor was arrested and indicted by a federal grand jury July 9.

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The Pennsylvania State Police assisted HSI in the investigation.

Lisa A. Renze, 48 of Connellsville, Pa., was arrested and charged Monday with employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. The indictment further alleges that on or about Jan. 31, 2010, Feb. 16, 2010, March 28, 2010, May 26, 2010, and Nov. 12, 2010, Renze distributed images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor to an individual located in Jeannette, Pa.

The charges in the complaint are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, Renze faces up to 130 years in prison, a fine of $1.5 million or both.

The 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.