Scranton Reporter

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Roland Bennett Rhodes, III, a 54-year-old resident of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 5, 2024. The federal grand jury charged him with receipt and possession of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam stated that the indictment involves charges related to the receipt and possession of child pornography depicting minors under the age of 12 years engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The alleged offenses occurred on October 24, 2024, in Luzerne County.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tatum Wilson is handling the prosecution.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to address child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates federal, state, and local resources to locate and prosecute individuals who exploit children and aims to identify and rescue victims.

Under federal law, these offenses carry a maximum penalty of up to 40 years imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing occurs after a guilty finding by a judge who considers federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.

It is important to note that indictments are only allegations; all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.