The Cleveland Division of the FBI, the Mansfield Police Department and the Shelby Police Department announce the arrest of Lane Joseph Winters, 38 years old, of Shelby, Ohio, for attempting to sexually exploit a child.

Winters was taken into local custody on November 13, 2019, at his place of employment without incident subsequent to a search warrant being executed at his residence. On Monday, November 18, 2019, Winters was transferred to federal custody and appeared before Honorable Jonathan D. Greenberg, United States Magistrate.

The federal criminal complaint alleges Winters engaged in online chats with an FBI undercover employee and others while in a chatroom known to cater to individuals who trade personal images of their daughters and discuss sexual desires or real time sexual activities with their purported daughters.

Winters remains in federal custody. A detention hearing has been scheduled for Monday, November 25, 2019.

This ongoing investigation continues to be worked by the Cleveland FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force—Mansfield Resident Agency.

A charge 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.

Any questions regarding this press release can be directed to SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or vagregg@fbi.gov.