Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Mr. Shannon Robert Bell, 53, has been indicted on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.  Bell was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah M. Smith, and is a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, where he was employed as a clinical therapist at multiple inpatient treatment facilities for children.

The indictment alleges that on Sept. 29, 2018, Bell knowingly distributed child pornography involving prepubescent minors, or minors who have not attained 12 years of age, by any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce. Additionally, allegations state that on July 1, 2019, Bell knowingly possessed and accessed child pornography with intent to view material that contained images of child pornography, including images involving prepubescent minors.

If the public has any further information regarding Bell,

please contact Anchorage FBI at (907) 276-4441.

If convicted, Bell faces a statutory minimum of five years in prison and guideline sentence of the statutory maximum of 20 years in prison.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood.  In May 2006, DOJ launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.