A man from Powell, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor. The sentencing took place on February 19, 2026, in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Court documents state that Shawn Christopher Powell, age 52, communicated online with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl between May and August 2025. During these conversations, Powell expressed his intention to engage in sexual acts with the minor. In August 2025, he traveled from Tennessee to Iowa intending to meet the minor and was found carrying condoms, sex toys, prescription pills, and children’s clothing when arrested.
After serving his prison sentence, Powell will undergo five years of supervised release. Federal law does not allow parole.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The case was investigated by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force.
"This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims," according to officials.
More information about internet safety education can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc under the resources tab.
