Two Eastern Idaho men sentenced to federal prison for child sex crimes

POCATELLO, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the outcomes of two Eastern Idaho cases involving child sex crimes on Tuesday.

Chief U.S. District Judge David Nye sentenced Shaun Patrick Conley, a 53-year-old from Shelley, to 15 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the District of Idaho. In a separate case, Judge Nye sentenced Matthew Dayton White, a 44-year-old man from Idaho Falls, to 12 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography.

“These cases reflect our steadfast commitment to bring to justice criminals who use digital technology, the internet and cameras to sexually victimize young children,” U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit said in a statement. “Sadly, there is much work to be done, but the strong partnerships between federal, state and local law enforcement will continue to make an impact. We are one team motivated to do as much as possible to stop anyone who would harm Idaho’s kids.”

Officers conducted a parole search on Conley back on July 28, 2023, while he was on parole for a prior sexual offense involving a minor, according to the office. Law enforcement discovered images on Conley’s phone showing an attempt to film an undressed 11-year-old child.

The child belonged to a family Conley befriended under an alias, denying his previous conviction of a sex offense. Conley also possessed pairs of the child’s underwear and a collection of child pornography.

In White’s case, law enforcement executed a search warrant on his residence after a report that he had hidden a camera in a 13-year-old’s bedroom, according to the office. Officers seized hard drives and electronic devices that contained over 4,000 images of child pornography.

Judge Nye ordered Conley on supervised release for ten years and White for his life, according to the office. Conley pleaded guilty to his charges on April 19, 2024, while White pleaded guilty on March 28, 2024. Both will be required to register as a sex offender.

“HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) makes it a priority to identify predators anywhere they may be found to stop the exploitation of children, in coordination with our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Whether it is a repeat offender or a predator acting covertly to fulfill their own repugnant desires, we will never stop fighting for children who deserve to grow up free from harm.”

HSI in Idaho Falls, Idaho State Probation and Parole, the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Blackfoot Police Department and the Shelley Police Department investigated the Conley case, according to the office. HSI in Idaho Falls, the Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho Falls Police Department investigated the White case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted both cases.

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