A federal grand jury indicted Shawn Livingston, 38, of Annapolis, Maryland, on Mar. 12 in connection with child sex abuse crimes. Livingston faces two counts of coercion and enticement of minors and 12 counts of receipt of child sexual abuse material.
The indictment is significant as it addresses allegations involving the use of social media to exploit minors across state lines. Authorities say the case highlights ongoing efforts to combat child sexual exploitation through coordinated law enforcement initiatives.
According to the indictment, beginning in 2022, Livingston used several Snapchat accounts to communicate with minor females. He allegedly coerced and enticed them to send sexually explicit images in exchange for money sent via CashApp and Venmo. The indictment states that he received explicit depictions from at least five victims between the ages of 15 and 16 who lived throughout the United States.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment along with William Ferrari, Deputy Assistant Director for the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service – Office of Investigations, and Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Secretary of State Police for Maryland State Police. "U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DSS and MSP for their work in the investigation," according to the announcement.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local resources.
If convicted, Livingston faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and up to life in federal prison for each count of coercion and enticement; each count of receipt carries a minimum sentence of five years and up to twenty years. The U.S. Attorney’s Office notes that actual sentences are typically less than maximum penalties due to sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
The indictment is not a finding of guilt; individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial.
