ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jasper E. Shook, of Petersburg, West Virginia, has admitted to child pornography charges, United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Shook, 35, pleaded guilty last week to one count of “Distribution of Child Pornography,” one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession of Child Pornography,” and one count of “Aiding and Abetting Production of Child Pornography.”
Shook faces not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the distribution of child pornography charge; he faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the aiding and abetting possession of child pornography charge; and he faces up to not less than 15 years and not more than 30 years of incarceration and up to $250,000 for the aiding and abetting production of child pornography charge. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberley D. Crockett is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.