According to Acting U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Kimmel attempted to produce a visual depiction involving the sexual exploitation of a child. The charges are further compounded by Kimmel’s prior convictions in Schuylkill County for indecent assault and attempted statutory rape — a history that raises the mandatory minimum prison sentence for the current offense to 25 years.
In addition to the production charge, Kimmel is accused of coercing and enticing a minor to engage in prostitution and other illegal sexual activity. The case stems from a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police.
The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Dukes.
The charges against Kimmel are part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program brings together federal, state, and local agencies to identify and prosecute individuals who exploit children and to rescue victims.
If convicted, Kimmel faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, supervised release, and financial penalties. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge, taking into account federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.