CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – A Knox man is facing 50 to 100 months in prison for possession of child pornography.
Court documents show that 26-year-old Shane A. Niederriter, of Knox, pleaded guilty to 25 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility.
He was sentenced to a minimum of 2 months and a maximum of 4 months for each of the 25 counts.
On February 1, 2013, agents from the Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit along with the local police arrested Niederriter who was accused of posing as a modeling scout to obtain naked pictures of children.
According to the criminal complaint, Niederriter used social media to solicit naked pictures from a mother and her 20-month old daughter. Niederriter allegedly identified himself as “Jim” and stated that he worked for “Docherty Talent and Modeling Agency” in Pittsburgh.
In one instance, Niederriter allegedly contacted the child’s mother via Facebook, told her he had seen a photo of her daughter, and asked if she would send any “bath time” or swimsuit photos of the child.
The charges state that that mother consistently rejected Niederriter’s offers and contacted the Knox Police Department.
Agents executed a search of Niederriter’s computers and revealed hundreds of pictures and videos including at least 19 photos and seven videos of minors engaged in graphic sexual activity.
Niederriter was also sentenced to serve five years probation for criminal use of a communication facility.