Bismarck Man Sentenced for Coercion & Enticement of a Minor

BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on April 28, 2014, Shane M. Walter, 40, Bismarck N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of coercion & enticement of a minor. Walter pleaded guilty to the charge on Jan. 30, 2014.

Judge Hovland sentenced Walter to serve 14 years and seven months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Walter was ordered to pay restitution of $3342.90 and to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

From January 2012 until April 2013 Walter communicated with a juvenile by text message and through the Internet. The messages were used to persuade the juvenile to engage in sexual activity.

The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Bismarck Police Department, with the assistance of the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme prosecuted the case.