The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on September 22, 2010, before U.S. Magistrate Judge R. Keith Strong, the following individual was arraigned:

SHAWN MATTHEW RUSSELL, a 23-year-old resident of Helena, appeared on charges of sexual exploitation of children, coercion and enticement, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, travel with intent to engaged in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, and possession of child pornography. He is currently detained. If convicted of these charges, RUSSELL faces possible penalties of up to life in prison, a $250,00 fine and up to lifetime supervised release. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcia Hurd is the prosecutor for the United States. The investigation was conducted by a cooperative effort between Helena Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation and United States Postal Inspection Service.

The defendant pled not guilty to the charges.

The charge, an indictment, information or complaint, is merely an accusation and any person named as a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A pre-trial conference and a trial date will be set and the United States will be required to prove the allegations set forth in the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

 

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