Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
A Monaca, Pennsylvania resident has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors and obstructing justice. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Nicholas Sittig, 28, admitted guilt on January 30, 2025, to two counts before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV.
According to information presented in court, between August 2023 and April 2024, Sittig engaged a minor from California in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating visual depictions. In December 2023, upon learning of a federal investigation against him, he persuaded the minor to help destroy evidence related to his offenses—specifically contact details and Snapchat messages—with intent to hinder the investigation. Additionally, Homeland Security Investigations identified another minor victim from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania who was exploited online by Sittig from December 2023 through March 2024.
Judge Stickman has set sentencing for June 5, 2025. The law stipulates a potential sentence ranging from a minimum of 15 years up to a maximum of 50 years imprisonment, alongside possible fines up to $250,000 or both. The actual sentence will depend on factors such as offense severity and any prior criminal history.
Sittig remains detained pending sentencing.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan.
The investigation leading to Sittig's prosecution involved Homeland Security Investigations-Pittsburgh; U.S. Postal Inspection Service offices in San Francisco and Pittsburgh; Pennsylvania State Police; Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General; and Monaca Police Department.
This case falls under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. This initiative leverages resources at federal, state, and local levels to apprehend offenders and rescue victims involved in child exploitation crimes. Further information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
Alerts Sign-up