LOCK HAVEN — A 41-year-old Howard man was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann in relation to the production of child pornography and online enticement, according to a release from the US Department of Justice.

Louis Bradley Wetzel’s sentence will also include 10 years of supervised release following incarceration, the release said.

Wetzel was accused of producing child pornography and the online enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, the release said.

Brann also ordered Wetzel to pay $50,000 in restitution to the victims.

According to US Attorney John C. Gurganus, pursuant to an ongoing investigation by the FBI in Williamsport, Wetzel was found in possession of “a trove of child sexual exploitation material during a search warrant conducted at his home in December of 2023.”

“A forensic review of his digital devices revealed conversation between Wetzel and a 12-year-old minor in which he coerced the child to produce and distribute, to him, child pornography,” the release said. “Wetzel also purported, during chats, to have the ability to offer up children for sale to other adults to engage in sexual acts for money.”

This case was investigated by the FBI with Assistant US Attorney Luisa Honora Berti prosecuting.

According to the release, the release 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.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.