East Pittsburgh Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography
Monday, May 12, 2025, 6:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
PITTSBURGH, PA.- A 54-year-old former Butler County, Pennsylvania, man who was convicted in 2012 for receiving child pornography will be facing up to an additional 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty on Wednesday to possessing digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti reported that on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Richard Synder, 54, formerly of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Colville to one count of Possession of Child Pornography; and to Violating the Terms and Conditions of Supervised Release. Judge Colville ordered Snyder to remain detained pending sentencing.
Judge Colville Schedules Sentencing For September
Following entering his guilty plea on Wednesday, Judge Colville accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2025. At that time, Snyder faces a mandatory minimum of ten years and up to 20 years in federal prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. At sentencing, a U.S. District Court Judge will determine the term of imprisonment based on the seriousness of the offense and Snyder’s prior criminal history.
In connection with the guilty plea and charging documents filed with the District Court, beginning in and around July 15, 2023, and lasting through August 3, 2023, knowing possessed and accessed the internet through social media platforms to view and download digital images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, many of which depicted children engaging in sexual conduct.
Additionally, the court was advised that while committing the instant offense, Snyder was serving a term of supervised release for his 2012 conviction for receiving and possessing child pornography.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
