Lima Ohio News

Lima Man Indicted for Child Pornography Violations

A Lima man was indicted on child pornography charges, said U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Mason Shepherd, 28, knowingly received and distributed numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. This took place between 2013 and 2017, according to the indictment.

If convicted, the defendant's sentence will be determined by the Court after reviewing factors unique to this case, including the defendant's prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The investigating agency in this case is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Tracey Ballard Tangeman

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.