Philadelphia Man Charged With Child Sexual Exploitation Offenses

A federal grand jury in Philadelphia indicted Robert Morris, 36, of Philadelphia, on one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography, the U.S. Department of Justice announced June 4, 2026.

The sexual exploitation count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. The possession count carries up to 10 years in prison. Both counts require lifetime supervised release upon completion of any prison term and mandatory forfeiture of any property used to commit the offenses, including computers and electronic storage devices.

The indictment alleges that Morris produced child sexual abuse material involving a minor under the age of 12 and that he knowingly possessed additional images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The charges stem from an investigation by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department.

If convicted on the exploitation charge, Morris faces a statutory requirement to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Conviction on either count also triggers mandatory restitution to identified victims under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.

The case is assigned to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. An arraignment date has not yet been set. Morris remains presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.

This indictment is the latest federal charging document brought in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania targeting the production and possession of child sexual abuse material. Federal law enforcement agencies have prioritized these cases since the 2018 reauthorization of the PROTECT Act, which increased penalties and expanded investigative tools for offenses involving victims under age 12.