A federal judge has sentenced a Pennsylvania man to 40 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of an Alabama girl.

Robert John Newman Jr., 29, pleaded guilty in October to sexual exploitation of children, coercion and enticement of a minor and travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

In addition to the 40 years in prison, U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco ordered Newman to a life term of supervised release once his sentence is complete, and $5,000 special assessment, Northern District of Alabama Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby announced Tuesday.

From December 2024 through January 2025, according to court documents, Newman targeted the 14-year-old victim online through social media.

He befriended her through deceit and relentlessly coerced her into sending him child sexual abuse material, authorities said.

On Jan. 4, 2025, Newman traveled over 700 miles from his home in Glenshaw, Pa. to the teen victim’s home in Winston County to engage in unlawful sexual activity with her.

The victim’s mother found Newman, whom she did not know, on the bed in her daughter’s bedroom and confronted him. Newman fled the residence and went back to Pennsylvania.

Later that month, on Jan. 22, 2025, Newman was arrested in Pennsylvania on Alabama state warrants. His phone was seized during his arrest.

After obtaining a federal search warrant for his phone, FBI agents found communication between Newman and the victim, as well as child sexual abuse material involving the victim.

Evidence from the iPhone showed that the Alabama victim was not his only victim who investigators identified as an 11-year-old girl in Colorado.

The FBI Birmingham Field Office investigated the case along with the FBI in Pittsburgh and Denver, the Winston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Shaler Township Police Department in Pennsylvania.

Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White prosecuted the case.

Anyone with information on the possible sexual exploitation of a child is asked to contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.