A resident of Ross Township, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Ralph Talerico, 45, admitted guilt to three counts before Chief United States District Judge Cathy Bisson. According to information presented in court, Talerico produced videos involving two minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct between June and July 2023. He also possessed videos and images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors on or about June 6, 2024. Some of the depicted victims were prepubescent and under the age of 12.
Chief Judge Bissoon set sentencing for June 16, 2026. Talerico faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, as well as a possible fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence will be determined based on the seriousness of the offenses and any prior criminal history.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Homeland Security Investigations.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse across the country. The project brings together federal, state, and local resources to investigate and prosecute offenders while identifying and rescuing victims. More details about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
