Former Ohio Resident Admits to Traveling to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity

PITTSBURGH, PA- A former resident of Vienna, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of traveling with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity with a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Jeffrey Judd, 60, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that in late May 2017, Judd began conversing with a 14-year-old male over the "Chathour" software application and by email. He arranged to meet the child victim in the parking lot of his school on June 1, 2017, and traveled from Vienna, Ohio, to Hermitage, Pennsylvania, to engage in intercourse and oral sex acts with the victim. The victim was frightened by Judd’s arrival at the school, and failed to show at the meet location. He later reported his communications with Judd to school officials. Judd continued to communicate by email with the victim until June 5, 2017.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for Dec. 6, 2019, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Defendant Judd has been detained pending the resolution of the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hermitage Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Judd. 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.