Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the Northern District of Ohio, and Phil R. Stammitti, Lorain County Sheriff, announce the issuance of a federal arrest warrant for Shawn Bivens, age 33.

On Sunday, May 4, 2014 ,a missing persons report involving a juvenile was filed with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO). The LCSO began initial steps to locate the missing juvenile. By May 7, 2014 the juvenile had not been located, and LCSO contacted the FBI for additional assistance.

On Thursday, May 8, 2014, agents from the FBI’s Cincinnati and Louisville Divisions, along with Lewis County Sheriff’s deputies, located the female juvenile victim in a trailer rented by Bivens in Vanceburg, Kentucky. Bivens denied to law enforcement that he had knowledge of the victim’s current location at the time the victim was discovered in his residence.

Bivens was placed into custody by Lewis County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with kidnapping in the first degree, custodial interference and two counts of rape in the third degree.

A federal arrest warrant was issued today in the Northern District of Ohio charging Shawn Bivens with violation of Title 18, U.S.C., sections 2251 and 2423, relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors and transportation of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

Bivens is currently being held in the Lewis County jail in Lewis County, Kentucky. Bivens will be extradited to the Northern District of Ohio to face these federal charges at a later date.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), his role in the offenses and the characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases they will be less than the maximum.

Any questions regarding this news release can be directed to SA Vicki D. Anderson at the Cleveland Office of the FBI, 216-522-1400 or Vicki.anderson@ic.fbi.gov.