United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Larchwood, Iowa, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Production of Child Pornography.
Shane Allan Nelson, age 36, was indicted on May 3, 2022. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on June 1, 2022, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 30 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about between March 13, 2020, and March 18, 2020, Nelson knowingly employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct, knowing that such depictions would be transported in interstate or foreign commerce or mailed. Such depictions would also be produced using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, including by computer.
The charge is merely an accusation and Nelson is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Internet Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.
Nelson was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.