A Berks County physician pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges related to sexual exploitation of minors, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said.
Charges and admissions
Dr. Habib Bhatti, 44, of Barto, entered a plea to counts that include production of child pornography, possession of child pornography and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Federal prosecutors say Bhatti traveled to California in November 2024 to engage in sexual activity with two minor victims.
According to the plea agreement, Bhatti also admitted to persuading two other minors at an earlier time to take part in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating visual material. Prosecutors said the defendant acknowledged offenses involving 24 additional minor girls.
Potential punishment and next steps
Bhatti is scheduled to be sentenced in October. Under federal law, he faces a statutory range beginning at a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and up to a possible life term, depending on the final adjudication and applicable sentencing guidelines.
| Charge | Potential penalty |
|---|---|
| Production of child pornography | Minimum 15 years to life (as part of combined sentencing) |
| Possession of child pornography | Variable federal penalties; contributes to overall sentence |
| Travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct | Enhances sentencing exposure when combined with other offenses |
Local and statewide implications
The case underscores the reach of federal investigations into child exploitation and the use of interstate travel to commit or facilitate these offenses. For Berks County, the proceedings are likely to raise questions about patient safety, licensing oversight and the mechanisms for reporting suspected abuse.
Victims in federal child sexual exploitation cases are often assisted by specialized victim-witness teams; federal authorities typically coordinate with local law enforcement and child-protective services during investigations and sentencing stages. Prosecutors do not release identifying details about minors involved in such cases to protect their privacy.
- Who was charged: Dr. Habib Bhatti, 44, of Barto.
- When the travel occurred: November 2024.
- Admissions in plea: Conduct involving two victims in California, prior persuasion of two minors, and offenses involving 24 additional girls.
Bhatti’s plea will proceed through the federal sentencing process, where judges weigh the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, statutory minimums, victim impact statements and any mitigating or aggravating factors presented by defense and prosecutors.
Members of the public with concerns about potential misconduct by medical professionals are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, which handles licensing complaints for health-care providers.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania handled the prosecution. Sentencing is set for October.
