United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

FEDERAL INDICTMENT CHARGES ABILENE, TEXAS, MAN
WITH PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Four Count Indictment Also Charges Transportation of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that a federal grand jury in Lubbock, Texas, returned an indictment yesterday charging Abilene, Texas, resident, Paul Edward Shook, Jr., with two counts of production of child pornography and two counts of transportation of child pornography.

Shook was arrested in late December 2006 on charges outlined in a federal criminal complaint. The affidavit and arrest warrant remain sealed. Shook remains in federal custody.

The indictment alleges that on April 21, 2006 and December 14, 2006, Paul Edward Shook, Jr., persuaded and enticed a female minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct so that he could produce and distribute a webcam broadcast and video.

An indictment is an accusation by a federal grand jury and a defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty. However, if convicted on all counts, Paul Edward Shook, Jr., age 45, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 100 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine.

U.S. Attorney Roper commended the investigative efforts of Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Abilene, Texas, Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven M. Sucsy of the Lubbock, Texas, United States Attorney’s Office.

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