Ex-Pennsylvania state trooper pleads guilty to child porn charges

An ex-Pennsylvania state trooper has pleaded responsible to a number of baby pornography-related prices.

Sean Ryan McKenzie, 38, was accused of trying to influence and persuading a minor who he knew to carry out sexual acts to be used in pornography on not less than three separate events in 2020 and 2021.

He additionally possessed digital recordsdata “together with prepubescent minors who haven’t attained 12 years of age, partaking in sexually specific conduct,” the Division of Justice stated.

As a part of his plea, McKenzie additionally admitted that he knowingly possessed “photographs of prepubescent minors partaking in sexually specific conduct” whereas working as a corporal within the Pennsylvania State Police.

McKenzie joined the power in 2008 however was suspended after the allegations turned public in March 2022.

The case in opposition to him started final 12 months when the Nationwide Heart for Lacking and Exploited Youngsters was tipped off to greater than 200 photographs of kid porn uploaded to a DropBox account belonging to McKenzie, in response to the Pittsburgh Union Progress.

The case in opposition to McKenzie was introduced as a part of Mission Protected Childhood, an initiative began in 2006 by the DOJ aimed toward combatting baby sexual exploitation and abuse

McKenzie is anticipated to be sentenced on Aug. 31. He stays behind bars and will face life in jail and a advantageous of as much as $1.75 million for the offenses, DOJ stated in an announcement.