Convicted Sex Offender Indicted for Production of Child Pornography

BOSTON—A level II sexual offender was indicted yesterday with the production of child pornography while on probation as a sex offender.

George Shipps, 31, of Chelsea, was charged with two counts of production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography. In February 2013, Shipps was arrested at his home and has since been detained.

According to court documents, agents learned that Shipps, using a Yahoo! e-mail address, had been sending and receiving images containing child pornography from his home in Chelsea to another individual in Hickory, North Carolina. On February 19, 2013, agents executed a search warrant at Shipps’ home, whereupon Shipps admitted to possessing the images containing child pornography and sending them via e-mail. Shipps further identified the 6-year-old depicted in those photos and admitted to taking them between August and September 2012.

Shipps was and is a level II sex offender on probation from the Middlesex County Superior Court for the possession of child pornography and luring a minor for the purpose of sex. Under current Massachusetts law, Shipps’ status as a level II sex offender was not available to the public via the sex offender registry website.

Because of Shipps’ status as a convicted sex offender, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and up to 50 years in prison, to be followed by up to lifetime supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and forfeiture if convicted.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division, made the announce today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacy Dawson Belf of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns, or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274, and messages will be promptly returned.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.