PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Northampton County man has pleaded guilty to a federal child pornography charge, resolving a criminal case that could result in up to a decade in prison when he is sentenced later this year.
Mark A. Morella Jr., 40, of Nazareth, entered a guilty plea Monday before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to a one-count superseding information charging him with attempted possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced.
The plea eliminates the need for a trial and moves the case into the sentencing phase. Morella is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 8 in federal court.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Morella also faces a mandatory minimum term of five years of supervised release, which could extend to a lifetime term, as well as a potential fine of up to $250,000 and other financial penalties.
Federal authorities did not disclose additional details about the underlying conduct in the plea announcement.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Colonial Regional Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Dimmig, Rosalynda M. Michetti, and John Boscia.
A guilty plea is an admission of criminal conduct, but sentencing remains at the discretion of the court.
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