Lackawanna County Man Admits to Receiving Child Pornography
Martin C. Carlson, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, announced that a Moscow man pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge William J. Nealon to receiving child pornography during 2005 through 2008.
Carlson stated that Paul Cwynar, age 48, admitted to receiving child pornography from others and from Internet websites via computer.
Cwynar’s prosecution stemmed from an investigation conducted by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Scranton Police.
Carlson noted that Cwynar faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a special assessment of $100, and could be placed on supervised release for life after serving his prison sentence. Judge Nealon scheduled Cwynar’s sentencing for November 13, 2008. Under the terms of the plea agreement, if accepted by the court, Cwynar will be sentenced to five years in prison and be placed on supervised release for the rest of his life.
Carlson noted that the investigation and prosecution of Cwynar are part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Carlson noted that the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa.
****
