WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shannon M. Ishler, age 45, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for the production of child pornography by any parent, legal guardian, and person having custody or control of a minor and possession of child pornography. According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Ishler, sometime between January 1, 2024 and April 5, 2024, engaged in the production of several images of child exploitation involving multiple toddlers in her care, which she distributed over the internet. It is also alleged that Ishler possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The FBI Philadelphia’s Capital Area Resident Agency and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 30 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.# # #