Date: 09-10-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. James Martin Shearer

Case Number: 5:23-cr-00275

Judge: Fred Biery

Court: The United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (Bexar County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in San Antonio

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

San Antonio, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex
San Antonio Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison Following Jury Conviction for Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex

James Martin Shearer, 48, initiated contact with a social media user claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. Shearer asked the minor for her address and a photo of herself, saying he wanted to pick her up and take her for a ride in his car. Shearer continued to text her on a cell phone the next day, asking when they could meet. They agreed the minor would skip school the following day. Shearer then quickly turned the conversation to a sexual nature, telling the girl that her age excited him.

The next day, April 27, 2023, Shearer sent an image of himself via text message and arrived at their predetermined meeting spot. Rather than meeting the 15-year-old he believed he had been texting, Shearer was arrested by San Antonio Police officers. A search of his vehicle revealed methamphetamine, condoms, and other sexual paraphernalia.

Shearer was found guilty of both counts in trial by a federal jury March 5, 2024. In addition to the 15 years in prison, he was ordered 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Homeland Security Investigations and SAPD investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bettina Richardson and Sade Bogart prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, 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.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison. In addition to the 15 years in prison, he was ordered 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: