PITTSBURGH — A West Sunbury man recently pleaded guilty to child pornography charges in federal court.

Steven R. Lawniczak, 48, on July 21 pleaded guilty to charges of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor before U.S. District Judge Terrence F. McVerry, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Lawniczak on March 4, 2014, and Dec. 2, 2014, allegedly possessed computer graphics files, photographs and videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

He will remain in custody until his sentencing, which the judge scheduled for Oct. 21. The law sets a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, according to the release.

He was investigated by the FBI.