Howard Man Charged With Attempted Enticement Of A Minor To Engage In Sexual Activity

WILLIAMSPORT, PA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher Crispen, age 32, of Howard, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 21, 2023, by a federal grand jury on attempted enticement of a minor and attempted receipt of child pornography offenses.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that from November 8 to November 9, 2023, in Centre County, Crispen attempted to persuade, entice, and coerce a minor child to engage in prostitution and sexual activity.  The indictment also alleges that Crispen attempted to receive child pornography on November 8, 2023.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police, Patton Township Police, the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, Williamsport Police, and the Lycoming County District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.

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.usdoj.gov/psc.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. 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.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.