Jackson Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

DETROIT – A Jackson, Michigan man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing child pornography after sexually assaulting at least six children in the process, United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced today.

Ison was joined in the announcement by Angie Salazar, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations.

Bryant Joseph Shepherd, 60, was sentenced on January 10, 2023 by United States District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith. For nearly nine years, Shepherd violated children who he encountered by secretly recording them changing in his home. He also collected commercial child pornography. But worst of all, Shepherd made videos of himself sexually assaulting multiple children. To coerce a victim, Shepherd would promise money and candy. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations detected Shepherd’s unlawful activities in 2019 when he was found to be using a Peer-to-Peer file-sharing program to share child pornography. Troopers with the Michigan State Police and federal agents executed a search warrant at Shepherd’s home in early January 2020, seizing electronic devices. A review of those devices led to the discovery that Shepherd had personally victimized at least six children by covertly recording them, or, in two cases, molesting and sexually assaulting them. Shepherd was subsequently charged in federal court with eight counts of production of child pornography, and the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography. He was also charged in Jackson County for his sexual assault of one of his victims. That case is still pending.

“This defendant committed one of the most serious offenses recognized under the law – producing child pornography. While there is nothing that will take away the enduring harm caused by this defendant, we will work tirelessly to protect our children and ensure individuals who commit crimes like this are held accountable for their misdeeds.” U.S. Attorney Ison said.

Predators like Shepherd belong behind bars, far away from the members of our community they would seek to exploit and victimize”, said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Angie Salazar. “Working with our partners, we will continue to prioritize the innocence and safety of children by diligently investigating child exploitation cases.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.