PITTSBURGH, PA – A former resident of Waynesburg, PA, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
James Jordan, age 31, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge William S. Stickman.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from January 11, 2022 until January 12, 2022, Jordan transported a minor from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the State of West Virginia, with the intent that the minor engage in criminal sexual activity.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for February 21, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10 years and not more than life in prison, a fine of up to $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 of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, Jordan remains detained.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Homeland Security—Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the Pennsylvania State Police, the Waynesburg Police Department, and the Lewisburg (WV) Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jordan.
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.