SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – In a chilling verdict, Dustin Shane Colvin, 35, a Sedalia registered sex offender, was today sentenced to 35 years in federal prison without parole for soliciting sexually explicit photos of a 14-year-old victim.
Colvin, who pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving and distributing child pornography on Jan. 4, 2024, has a history of sexual misconduct. He was convicted of statutory rape of a 13-year-old in 2007.
The case took a sinister turn when Serena Dowling, 24, of Sedalia, Colvin’s fiancé, pleaded guilty on March 11, 2024, to one count of receiving and distributing child pornography. Dowling admitted to taking explicit photos of the 14-year-old at Colvin’s request, promising $100 per photo but paying only about half.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan is handling this case with the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force investigating.
This prosecution is a part of Project Safe Childhood, launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information on this initiative, visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
Colvin’s sentence sends a stark message about the severe consequences for those who prey on children through technology. It underscores the collaborative efforts of federal and local agencies in safeguarding our youth.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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