A San Antonio man has been sentenced to a total of 15 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him for his attempt to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
James Martin Shearer, age 48, was found guilty of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. The suspect initiated contact with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl through social media, and the conversation escalated to sexual topics. Shearer arranged a meeting for the following day, suggesting the 'minor' should skip school to join him,
On April 27, 2023, law enforcement arrested Shearer at the location he had specified for the meeting. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, officials found methamphetamine, condoms, and other sexual paraphernalia in his vehicle upon searching. Following his arrest, Shearer was tried and convicted by a federal jury on March 5, 2024.
Shearer's sentencing also includes a following 10 years of supervised release after his prison term concludes, and he is required to register as a sex offender. "In addition to the 15 years in prison, he was ordered 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender," as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas.
The investigation into Shearer’s actions was a collaborative effort between Homeland Security Investigations and the San Antonio Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bettina Richardson and Sade Bogart prosecuted the case, which is a part of Project Safe Childhood. This initiative, launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006, is a nationwide movement aimed at combating the growing issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
