Michael Shaw, Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography, Pennsylvania 2023

Luzerne County Man Charged with Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography

A 38-year-old Luzerne County resident has been indicted on charges of receiving and distributing child pornography, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Michael Shaw, of Luzerne County, allegedly downloaded and traded child pornography between 2012 and June 5, 2013, according to the indictment. The charge is the result of an investigation by law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, Luzerne County District Attorney's Office, and local police.

Shaw's case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa. Shaw is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

Under federal sentencing guidelines, the mandatory minimum sentence for Shaw is five years imprisonment. The maximum penalty under the federal statute is 20 years' imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.

Shaw's potential sentence will depend on a number of factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense, his history and characteristics, and the need to punish him, protect the public, and provide for his educational, vocational, and medical needs.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/luzerne-county-man-charged-receiving-and-distributing-child-pornography