A former Ellwood City resident has been sentenced to 21 years in federal prison for crimes associated with child exploitation. Shayne A. Clapper, 31, received a sentence of 252 months of incarceration followed by 15 years of supervised release for coercion and enticement of a minor, and production and receipt of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV on April 22, 2025, following Clapper’s conviction.
The court was informed that Clapper began a sexual relationship with a minor from January to February 2023. He provided the minor with a cell phone to facilitate communication, during which he requested and received nude images. Furthermore, Clapper persuaded the minor to participate in sexually explicit activities to produce visual depictions of such conduct.
Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan represented the government in the case. Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti acknowledged the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ellwood City Police Department in the investigation that led to Clapper’s prosecution.
This case was pursued under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006. The initiative aims to combat child sexual exploitation and involves federal, state, and local resources to apprehend and prosecute offenders and protect victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.