United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, April 4, 2008, that Scott Franz, a resident of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to using the internet to lure and entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

Franz, 27, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge David S. Cerone.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Soo C. Song advised the court that Franz was arrested after an undercover on-line investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that began on July 12, 2007.  After encountering the profile of a minor on Myspace.com, Franz corresponded with what he believed to be a fifteen year-old girl and engaged in sexually explicit discussions about specific sex acts that he intended to engage in with her, including oral and anal sex.  Franz also sent images of child pornography to the undercover agent posing as a fifteen year-old.  In internet-based communications, Franz and the minor eventually agreed to meet at the Barnes and Noble bookstore at the Waterfront Shopping complex in Homestead, Pennsylvania, on July 19, 2007, at 2:00 PM.  Franz was arrested when he arrived in the Barnes and Noble bookstore.  Child pornography was recovered through forensic analysis of his computer.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2008, at 1:30 PM.  The law provides for a total sentence of up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Franz will remain in custody of the United States Marshals pending sentencing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Franz.