James M. Leroy

PITTSBURGH — A Penn Township businessman who was convicted in a federal molestation case in February was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday.

James M. Leroy, 55, of Renfrew, was convicted at trial in February on child exploitation charges and was sentenced to the prison term, followed by lifetime supervised release, according to a press release from Acting United States Attorney Soo Song.

United States District Judge Arthur Schwab imposed the sentence, as well as ordering Leroy to pay a special assessment of $400, restitution for $25,000 and a fine of $125,000, the release stated.

According to the release, Schwab stated that Leroy, “must serve a significant custodial sentence for this most reprehensible pattern of criminal conduct.”

Following three days of testimony, the jury deliberated for about two hours before handing down a guilty verdict two counts of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Prosecutors say Leroy sexually exploited the youths between 2009 and 2016 at his home in Butler County. He is also still facing charges in Butler County, including 10 felony charges.

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.