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Press Release

Altoona Man Sentenced to 10 Years’ in Prison for Possession of Materials Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of Minors

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Altoona, PA, has been sentenced in federal court to a total of 10 years’ in prison followed by 10 years’ supervised release on his conviction of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson imposed the sentence on Matthew Michael Walter, 34. 

According to information presented to the court, on or about August 22, 2019, Walter knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. All computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

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

Ms. Chung commended the Department of Homeland Security Investigations for the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Walter.

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 www.justice.gov/psc.

Updated February 11, 2022

Topic
Project Safe Childhood