Source: United States Department of Justice News
PITTSBURGH- A former resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, initially charged in federal court by criminal complaint for possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud and coercion, as well as production and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.
The seven-count Indictment, returned yesterday, names Eric Jefferson, 39, formerly of the Polish Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh and currently incarcerated at Allegheny County Jail, as the sole defendant.
According to the seven-count Indictment, from in and around June 2019 to in and around April 2022, Jefferson attempted to and did by force, threats of force, fraud or coercion, cause four different adult females, who are known to the grand jury, to engage in commercial sex acts. Additionally, the Indictment alleges that from in and around February 2021 to in and around May 2022, Jefferson used the internet and cell phone to promote, manage, establish, carry on, and facilitate the promotion, management, establishment, and carrying on of a business involving prostitution, in violation of state and federal law. The Indictment also alleges that on or about May 29, 2017, Jefferson produced a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Lastly, the Indictment alleges that, on or about May 18, 2022, Jefferson possessed material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors who were under the age of 12.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years to life in prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000.00 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Narcotics Division, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.
The charges in the Indictment concern specific victims. Additional members of the public who may have information about Jefferson’s involvement in sex trafficking are encouraged to call the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office at (412) 432-4000.
This prosecution is part of Operation T.E.N. (Trafficking Ends Now). Operation T.E.N. serves as an umbrella coalition for law enforcement, community, and non-profit partners in the 25
counties in the Western District of Pennsylvania. This coordinated effort aims to end human trafficking through education and improved cooperation across agencies and service providers, thereby enhancing the office’s ability to empower victims of human trafficking to become thriving survivors.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.