PITTSBURGH, PA — In a federal court ruling, George Cobbs, a 41-year-old resident of Duquesne, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. The sentence was handed down on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, by United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy, who determined that Cobbs will serve his sentences for three counts concurrently, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
Cobbs faced charges of production and attempted production of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, a crime that involves manipulating or coercing individuals under the age of 18 into engaging in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating visual depictions. This case brought to light several instances where Cobbs engaged in such reprehensible activities.
During the sentencing, Judge Hardy remarked on the gravity of Cobbs’ actions, emphasizing the betrayal of trust and the objectification of the minor victim for personal gratification. The judge condemned Cobbs’ actions as not only criminal but also as deeply dehumanizing toward the victim, reducing their dignity through the act of memorialization.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan, representing the government’s commitment to combating the sexual exploitation of minors. The successful prosecution of Cobbs was the result of diligent investigative work by the FBI Pittsburgh Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes members from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, and Duquesne Police Department.
United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan praised the collaborative effort of these law enforcement agencies, highlighting the integral role they play in identifying and prosecuting individuals who commit such vile offenses against children.
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