Freedom man enters guilty plea for receiving materials depicting sexual exploitation of minor

FREEDOM ― A Beaver County man last week pleaded guilty to soliciting materials depicting the exploitation of a minor.

According to the Department of Justice, the plea was entered by 64-year-old Mark Kriss of the Freedom area for one count of "receipt of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor" on June 25. Judges said Kriss will face 5 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for receiving these materials.

Investigators said Kriss made contact with a 14-year-old over an online dating website targeted at extramarital affairs on May 22, 2021. Through the site, he received photos depicting the minor's sexual exploitation. Kriss also admitted he later met the minor for sex at a local motel.

The investigation into Kriss was led by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and officers from the Northern Regional Police Department.