Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Federal Child Pornography Charges Defendant Also Agrees To Plead To State Aggravated Child Rape Charges In Middlesex County

BOSTON – George Shipps, 32, of Chelsea, pleaded guilty today to federal charges of transportation and possession of child pornography. Shipps, a Level II registered sexual offender based upon a 2006 state conviction for child pornography and enticement offenses, was on state court probation when he committed the federal offenses.

In connection with the plea, Shipps admitted that he was sending and receiving child pornography from his residence in Chelsea at the time that his conduct was discovered as part of an international federal investigation. Among other things, Shipps admitted that he took sexually explicit photographs of three children, ages six, four, and two, on separate occasions.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Shipps will be sentenced to a period of incarceration between 19 and 23 years, plus restitution and forfeiture. Shipps will also be required to plead guilty to aggravated child rape in Middlesex Superior Court and will not contest his pending state court probation violation.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Vincent B. Lisi, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division and Middlesex District Attorney Marian T. Ryan made the announcement today. The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacy Dawson Belf of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit and the Middlesex case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katharine Folger.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys= Offices and the Criminal Division=s CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.