Samuel C. Friday pleads guilty to child trafficking and sexual assault

Samuel C. Friday, 68, of Taylor Township, has pleaded guilty to five felony charges in Centre County Court involving the sexual exploitation and trafficking of two minors. The charges include two counts of trafficking minors, two counts of producing child sexual abuse material, and one count of sexual assault.

Under a negotiated plea agreement, Friday faces an aggregate sentence of 30 to 60 years in state prison, which remains subject to court approval. He admitted to a course of conduct between 2021 and 2025 where he subjected juveniles to sexual servitude and paid them to engage in sexual acts at his home. Investigators also recovered hundreds of images and videos depicting the exploitation of the victims.

First Assistant District Attorney Joshua Andrews stated that the guilty plea avoids a lengthy trial. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 19, 2027.