Phoenix – A Peoria man is sentenced to 12 years in prison after downloading hundreds of images and dozens of videos of child pornography announced Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. 25-year-old Shane Perry Anderson was also sentenced to lifetime probation and must register as a sex offender after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
“This office will aggressively prosecute those who prey on vulnerable children,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “This case is an example of the impact we can have when agencies work together to bring online predators to justice."
On August 30, 2013, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crimes Center began to investigate an individual with the username “Spapeoria”, who was commenting on a free file sharing website. The comments indicated that the user had a sexual interest in “preteen” females and that the user was using the site to facilitate the trafficking of child pornography. Data obtained by HSI helped determine that the account was being accessed by a residence in Peoria, Arizona.
“The sexual exploitation of children fuels the disturbing actions of like-minded predators who create illegal content,” said Matt C. Allen, special agent in charge of HSI of Phoenix. “It is our duty, with the assistance of partners like the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Together we will continue to pursue child predators and make them accountable for their unconscionable actions."
A court authorized search of the Peoria residence where Anderson lived with his parents revealed he had been sharing, downloading, and distributing child pornography for approximately one year. During an interview with investigators, Anderson confessed to viewing and possessing child pornography. HSI searched Anderson’s bedroom and located computers and hard drives that contained over 200 images and dozens of videos of child pornography. The images and video were verified with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as being known images of child pornography and that the children were under the age of fifteen.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Arizona Attorney General Joseph Waters.
The Attorney General’s Office and HSI encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through a toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information, members of the media may contact Mia Garcia, Spokesperson and Director of Media Relations at 602-339-5895 or [email protected].
Copy of Anderson's plea agreement.
Copy of Anderson's indictment.
Copy of Anderson's mug shot.
