In federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, John C. Shores, Jr., 55, was sentenced for attempted sexual exploitation of a child to 240 months' imprisonment, without parole. Upon release, Shores will begin a 20-year term of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $7,600 in special assessments.

Court records show, from August 04, 2023, through August 10, 2023, the defendant used his cell phone to engage in an online conversation via the chat application Whisper and text messages with an undercover police officer who was pretending to be a 13-year-old girl.

During the defendant's conversations with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, he asked to exchange naked and sexually-explicit pictures for the purpose of masturbation. The defendant also sent sexually explicit images to the "girl" – the police officer.

On August 10, 2023, the defendant made arrangements with the undercover officer (believing the officer was a 13-year-old girl) and arrived at the meeting location in Omaha as arranged.

Law enforcement arrested the defendant and seized four cell phones from his vehicle. The phones revealed numerous sexually-explicit online conversations, including with individuals claiming to be as young as 11.

United States Attorney's Office, District of Nebraska "Omaha Man Sentenced for Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child" https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/omaha-man-sentenced-attempted-sexual-exploitation-child#:~:text=United (Aug. 23, 2024).

Commentary and Checklist
 

According to a report, more than 300 million children across the globe are victims of online sexual abuse each year. In fact, 12.6 percent of the world's children have been victims of nonconsensual talking, sharing, and exposure to sexual images and video in the past year, equivalent to about 302 million young people. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/27/more-than-300m-children-victims-of-online-sexual-abuse-every-year

Also, around 12.5 percent have been subjected to online solicitation, such as unwanted sexual talk that can include sexting, sexual questions, and sexual act requests by adults or other youths. https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/27/more-than-300m-children-victims-of-online-sexual-abuse-every-year

A recent Pew Research Center shows 95 percent of teens use YouTube. TikTok used by 67 percent, "followed by Instagram and Snapchat, which are both used by about six-in-ten teens." Thirty-two percent use Facebook, with reduced percentages for use of Twitter, Twitch, WhatsApp, Reddit and Tumblr. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/#:~:text=YouTube%20tops%20the%202022%20teen,six%2Din%2Dten%20teens

What are some red flags that could indicate a child is being victimized online?

• Parents or caregivers find child pornography or links to sexual websites on a child's computer.
• The child devotes long periods of time online - especially at night; makes calls to people parents or caregivers don't know; or gets phone calls, gifts, or money from unfamiliar people.
• When a parent or caregiver comes into the room, the child turns off the computer monitor or quickly changes the screen.
• The child is using multiple online accounts or someone else's online account.
• The child withdraws from the family; displays secretive behavior; has sexual knowledge beyond is or her years.
• The child reports participating in or being shown child pornography; reports phishing, spam, emails, and/or asking for personal information
• The child receives email offering pharmaceuticals or sex.
• The child reports threatening emails; bullying texts, posts, emails, and chats.
• The child inexplicably stops using the computer; refuses to go online; appears nervous or scared when receiving an instant message, text message, or email.
• The child is angry, upset, or depressed after using the computer.