Former Fugitive Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material, 14 Years After Fleeing the United States

INDIANAPOLIS- Larry Shaw, 49, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse materials.

According to court documents, in 2007, the Indiana State Police began an investigation into known videos and files of child sexual abuse material being traded via Gnutella. Gnutella was a peer-to-peer network that allowed users to share files across the internet without using a central server. Larry Shaw was identified as one of several targets of the investigation.

On March 19, 2007, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Shaw’s residence. During an interview with officers, Shaw admitted to downloading child sexual abuse materials using peer-to-peer networks and storing them on his computer. Forensic examination of the computer found 177 video files depicting prepubescent children engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adults, including violent masochistic conduct, and depictions of rapes of children.

On May 2, 2007, Shaw, his legal counsel, and federal prosecutors met to discuss a pre-indictment resolution of the case. Shaw requested to think about the offer over the weekend, and the government agreed. On May 5 or 6, 2007, Shaw had fled the United States on an AirChina flight to Beijing. Shaw was apprehended and arrested nearly 14 years later in October of 2021 after he attempted to re-enter the United States in Chicago.

“Not only did Mr. Shaw trade abhorrent images and videos of children being sexually violated and tortured, but he also sought to evade the consequences of his actions for over 14 years,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers. “The successful arrest and prosecution of this defendant demonstrates that our Office, HSI, and IMPD will work to bring criminals to justice no matter how long it takes. The serious sentence imposed today demonstrates that those who seek gratification from the horrific abuse of the most vulnerable will be held accountable.”

“Possessing and viewing child exploitation material revictimizes children each time it is downloaded or shared. Our agents and partners are profoundly committed to investigating these crimes and going after the perpetrators,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge R. Sean Fitzgerald. “We will continue to work tirelessly to identify and investigate offenders like Shaw in our communities and ensure they pay for their crimes against children.”

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with the valuable assistance of IMPD. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Shaw be supervised by the U.S. Probation office for 10 years following his release from federal prison. Shaw must also register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works, or goes to school, as required by law. 

U.S. Attorney Myers thanks Assistant United States Attorney Kate E. Olivier, who prosecuted this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc