Minerva man indicted for transporting girl across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct

Eric T. Shotwell, 41, of Minerva, was charged with transportation of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, said Carole S. Rendon, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Shotwell knowingly traveled from Ohio to Missouri and Kentucky in March for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a 14-year‑old girl, according to the indictment.

The indictment also charges that, from March 13, 2016, through March 17, 2016, Shotwell knowingly transported a 14-year-old girl from Kentucky to Ohio with the intent that the girl would be engaged in sexual activity for which Shotwell could be charged with a criminal offense.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.  

The case was investigated by the Canton Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Minerva Police Department, the Canton Police Department, and the West Plains, Missouri Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Sullivan.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.