Clairton Resident Pleads Guilty to Coercing Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity
PITTSBURGH, Pa. / Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - A resident of Clairton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Jeffrey A. McLaughlin Jr., 43, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, between August 5, 2021, and November 17, 2021, McLaughlin—pretending to be a teenage boy—solicited nude images and videos from a 12-year-old female over social media. McLaughlin also sent explicit sexual content to the same minor.
Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, McLaughlin will remain in federal custody.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn J. Bloch and Kelly M. Locher are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, New York; the Allegheny County Police Department; and the Allegheny County Probation Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of McLaughlin.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania
