Altoona Man Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Possessing and Distributing Images of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct

This release was issued following the 43-day government shutdown during which the sentencing occurred.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Altoona, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on October 21, 2025, to charges of violating federal sex offense laws and was sentenced to 108 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced.

Jonathan Hunt, 44, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on or about February 16, 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Hunt distributed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct using materials that were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. Further, on or about October 19, 2021, Hunt possessed images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which were produced using prepubescent minors.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

First Assistant United States Attorney Rivetti commended Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Hunt.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.