SAN FRANCISCO - Edward Shia was sentenced to 84 months in prison for possession of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI") Special Agent in Charge Ryan Spradlin. The sentence was handed down yesterday by the Honorable Vince Chhabria, U.S. District Judge.
According to papers filed with the court, Shia, 32, of San Francisco, admitted that he searched for and downloaded child pornography online. A search of Shia’s San Francisco residence resulted in the discovery of more than 12,400 images and 150 videos of child pornography. The majority of the videos depicted children between the ages of three and ten years of age. Shia admitted in an interview that he used the term PTHC (“pre-teen hard core") to search for and download images of child pornography. He further admitted that he viewed downloading these images as a “release" and that he continued to battle with his sexual desires for children. On May 7, 2015, a federal grand jury indicted Shia, charging him with possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(4)(B). Judge Chhabria found Shia guilty of the charge, following a bench trial based on stipulated facts agreed upon by the parties, on December 6, 2016.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Chhabria ordered Shia to serve a five-year period of supervised release. Shia has been free on bond; Judge Chhabria ordered him to surrender on or before July 21, 2017, to begin serving his sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Lin is prosecuting the case. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the HSI, the San Jose Police Department, and the San Francisco Police Department.
Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-843-5678.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
