Northern District of Ohio | Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Traveling Across State Lines for Sexual Exploitation of Minor

AKRON, Ohio – Soumya Rudra, 41, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to traveling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual acts with a minor and to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), also known as child pornography.

According to court documents, Rudra met the 14-year-old victim on a dating game app called “Kiss Kiss.” He then messaged her via Snapchat text and video calls over the course of several months. In November 2023, Rudra drove more than 400 miles from Pennsylvania to Ohio to meet the victim. He took her to a hotel where he engaged in criminal sexual activity. Detectives also discovered CSAM with other minors on his electronic devices, which were recovered from the hotel room.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2024. Rudra faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Canton Field Office and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case.

To report child exploitation, visit cybertipline.org or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.