PITTSBURGH, Pa. — An Erie resident has been sentenced to 12½ years in federal prison after authorities discovered that he possessed hundreds of digital images containing child sexual abuse material while on parole for previous child-exploitation convictions.
Chief U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the 150-month sentence on Michael Thomas Pritchard, 49, on July 23, 2026.
Following his release from federal prison, Pritchard must serve 10 years of supervised release. The supervision period is separate from the 150-month prison sentence and will begin after he completes his incarceration.
Pritchard was convicted of possessing child sexual abuse material. Information presented to the federal court established that he possessed hundreds of digital images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The offense occurred while Pritchard was on parole for a series of child-exploitation convictions in Pennsylvania. His criminal history and parole status placed the federal possession offense within the context of prior convictions involving the exploitation of children.
U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced the sentence for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Erie Police Department and Pennsylvania Department of Corrections conducted the investigation that led to Pritchard’s federal prosecution.
The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections participated in the investigation because Pritchard was under parole supervision when authorities discovered the material.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian A. Trabold prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
The prosecution was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative created in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Project Safe Childhood coordinates federal, state and local investigative and prosecutorial resources to identify offenders, pursue criminal cases, locate victims and protect children from continued exploitation.
The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
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