MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN - Shane Eric Hanley, 45, of Norway, Michigan, was
sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney
Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced today. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge R.
Allan Edgar ordered Hanley to serve twenty years of supervised release following his release
from prison, to pay $17,769.00 in restitution to victims, and to pay a $100 special assessment.
Hanley will also be required to re-register as a sexual offender.
On Feb. 22, 2013, Hanley pleaded guilty to a federal indictment charging him with
possession of child pornography. The investigation into Hanley’s activities began in July 2011
when agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force in Grand Rapids, Michigan
discovered that Hanley was sharing child pornography via peer-to-peer software on his
computer. Subsequent investigation revealed that Hanley had child pornography stored on both
his home computer and DVDs. Hanley admitted that he had used peer-to-peer software to locate
and download child pornography, which he compared to stamp collecting. Hanley had been
previously convicted of criminal sexual conduct in Michigan in 1993 and 1994. Both convictions
involved acts with minors. He was a registered sex offender in Michigan.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect
children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's
offices, Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law
enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who
exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities
about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site:
www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The Michigan State Police and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul D. Lochner.
END
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
