Troy Man Charged With Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking Of A Child

Shane L. Schlaefer, 27, of Troy, Illinois, has been charged by a two-count Complaint with Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Child and Attempted Enticement of a Minor, United States Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton announced today. The alleged violations took place on or about April 6, 2015, in Madison County. After a detention hearing held today, the Court ordered that Schlaefer be held without bond pending trial.

"My Office will spare no time or effort in defending the most innocent in our society – our children." noted United States Attorney Wigginton. "Again, I warn parents – be knowledgeable and vigilant of computer usage when it comes to your children. Predators are out there, and they will stop at nothing to get to their prey."

The offenses charged in the Complaint allege that, on or about April 6, 2015, Schlaefer attempted to recruit, induce, entice and obtain a child under the age of 14 years knowing that the person would be caused to be engaged in a commercial sex act.

If convicted of Attempted Commercial Sex Trafficking of a Child, Schlaefer faces a term in prison of not less than fifteen (15) years up to life, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life. If convicted of Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Schlaefer faces a term in prison of not less than ten (10) years up to life, a fine up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life.

A complaint is a formal charge against a defendant that is comprised of the essential facts constituting the offense charged. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."

The investigation was conducted by investigators for the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the United States Secret Service’s Southern Illinois Cyber-Crime Unit, and the Illinois State Police. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers for prosecution.