WILLIAMSPORT — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Christopher G. Lee, age 66, a resident of Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, was convicted Friday of production, receipt and possession of child pornography as well as obstruction of justice. The four-day trial was held before U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann in Williamsport.
Lee is a former Harris Township Supervisor and the ex-director of the Boal Mansion Museum in Boalsburg, PA. It was because of his affiliation with the Boal Mansion Museum that Lee had access to teenage boys, who volunteered or worked at the museum as docents or tour guides. Some of these boys later became victims of his production of child pornography.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, the jury returned with the verdict of guilty of producing and receiving child pornography after approximately two hours of deliberation. The jury of six men and six women also convicted Lee of possessing images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent children under the age of 12 years old. Finally, after hearing Lee attempt to have his cousin assist him in having his cellular telephone that was in the custody of the FBI “wiped remotely” in multiple recorded phone calls, the jury convicted Lee of obstruction of justice. These counts carry enhanced penalties requiring a mandatory minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
Judge Brann has not scheduled a sentencing date for Lee, but Lee will remain detained pending a sentencing hearing.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the State College Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith A. Taylor and Francis P. Sempa.
A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The maximum penalty under federal law is 30 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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