Scranton Man Charged With Child Porn Distribution

SCRANTON — Shawn Howells, 43, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, is facing federal charges after being indicted on counts of possessing and distributing child pornography, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today.

The indictment alleges Howells used the internet between November 29, 2016, and January 20, 2017, to view minors engaged in illegal sexual activity. During that same period, he transported child pornography using digital means, including through computer networks. The charges stem from a federal investigation led by the FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Gotlob is prosecuting the case. Howells is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court, as is guaranteed under federal law. Indictments are formal accusations, not convictions, and the burden of proof rests with the prosecution.

If convicted, Howells faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years behind bars. He could also be sentenced to a term of supervised release following incarceration and be subject to fines under federal sentencing statutes.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, the program coordinates federal, state, and local efforts to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders — and to rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood and internet safety education, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the “resources” tab. The public is encouraged to report suspected online child exploitation to law enforcement immediately.

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