Northampton County Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Pornography

Brian Michael Gessner, 44, of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty June 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to producing and possessing child pornography.

The charges stem from Gessner's production of explicit images and videos of a minor victim, according to the Department of Justice. He also possessed additional child sexual abuse material on his devices.

The production count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. The possession count carries a maximum of 10 years. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7. Gessner remains in custody pending sentencing.

The case is part of the Justice Department's ongoing effort to prosecute individuals who produce child sexual abuse material. Upon release, Gessner will be subject to lifetime supervised release and mandatory sex offender registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

This marks the latest conviction secured by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in child exploitation cases investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement. Federal law requires a minimum 15-year term for production offenses involving minors under 12 or when coercion is used; the plea agreement binds the government to recommend within guidelines once the presentence report is complete.

The guilty plea resolves the two-count indictment returned against Gessner and eliminates the need for trial. The victim will not have to testify in open court. Restitution to the victim remains to be determined at sentencing, where the court will also impose a fine and special assessments required under federal statute.

Primary sources: U.S. Department of Justice