Ross Township Resident Pleads Guilty to Producing and Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Ross Township, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal laws regarding the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Ralph Talerico, 45, pleaded guilty to three counts before Chief United States District Judge Cathy Bisson.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, in and around June through July 2023, Talerico produced videos of two minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Additionally, on or about June 6, 2024, Talerico possessed videos and still images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, some of whom were prepubescent and under 12 years of age.

Chief Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Talerico.

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 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.