Former Wharton professor Scott Ward pled guilty today in federal court to producing child pornography for importation into the United States.

Ward, who has been held in custody since August, is scheduled for sentencing May 11.

His charge carries a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison, according to a press release issued by the U.S. District Attorney's Office in Virginia.

Police reports indicate that prior to Ward's arrest, customs officials had grown suspicious of his frequent trips to Thailand, a known destination for child-predator sex tourists.

When Ward arrived at Dulles International Airport on August 27 from a trip to Brazil, a routine search revealed child pornography on his computer. Further examination turned up a digital camcorder and accompanying mini-DVDs that showed Ward engaged in sexual acts with a minor boy.

Ward still faces charges in Pennsylvania stemming from the discovery of additional child pornography in his Huntsman Hall office in September.

University officials announced in August that Ward would no longer teach at Penn.