Turtle Creek Resident Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Minors
PITTSBURGH, Pa. / Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Robert Bookshar, 49, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV on March 3, 2026.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around September 2021 through in and around June 2023, Bookshar communicated with an online criminal organization that offered child sexual abuse material in the form of “Ultimate Packages”—which investigation determined consisted of seven videos and 30 images of a nude minor female engaged in sexually explicit conduct—as well as a “menu” of minor females who were available for the creation of child sexual abuse material during live video calls. Bookshar requested images, videos, and live video calls depicting child sexual abuse from the criminal organization on a social media app, participated in the live video calls through a second social media app, and paid for the material with gift cards or through various mobile payment apps. Specifically, Bookshar pleaded guilty to the inducement of two minors, one on August 23, 2022, and the other on May 12, 2023, for the purpose of creating child sexual abuse material during a live video call.
Judge Stickman scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years 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 offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. Bookshar remains in custody pending sentencing.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, Tampa (Florida) Police Department, and Colorado Springs (Colorado) Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Bookshar.
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
