Plover Man Sentenced for Production of Child Pornography

MADISON, WI—Stephen P. Sinnott, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Alfred T. Shippy, 45, Plover, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb to forty years in prison for production of child pornography. Shippy pleaded guilty to this charge on July 30, 2009.

Last year, on September 29, 2008, officers with the Plover Police Department executed a search warrant at the defendant's residence based on a report that the defendant was sexually abusing and videotaping the sexual abuse of a 10-year-old girl. Shippy was at the time a registered sex offender based on a 2001 conviction for possession of child pornography. During the course of the search, officers found and seized evidence of the defendant videotaping the sexual abuse of a minor, which lead to the federal charges for production of child pornography. In sentencing Shippy to forty years in prison followed by supervised release for the remainder of his life, Judge Crabb indicated that she was not sure that the defendant could understand his predilections and had no confidence that the defendant could ever change his behavior. Judge Crabb further stated that this inability to change coupled with Shippy's clear ability to manipulate others to get what he wants makes him a very dangerous person and a very long sentence was necessary to protect the community. Shippy also faces additional charges in Portage County.

The charges against Shippy were the result of an investigation conducted by the Plover Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Przybylinski Finn.