(WWJ) – A West Michigan couple will spend the next 30 years behind bars after they were caught filming child pornography after drugging and raping a young girl multiple times.
For years, the victim would visit Amy Shanty and Michael Walworth of Scottville, just east of Ludington, according to U.S. Attorney Mark Totten’s office. Shanty and Walworth were supposed to be caring for her.
But instead, they drugged her and “gave her gifts to coax her into engaging in sex acts with them,” Totten’s office said.
This week Shanty was sentenced to 30 years in prison – the same sentence Walworth received in June.
“The facts of this case are appalling,” Totten said, per a press release. “My office is fully committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens. As this case demonstrates, we will hold those who harm our kids accountable.”
Walworth also set up hidden cameras in his home, which he used to capture the young girl while she was in the bathroom, according to authorities.
During a search warrant at the couple’s home police found “an extensive collection” of child porn on Walworth’s computer that he had downloaded from the internet.
The exploitation began in early 2016 and continued until October 2021, according to a WOOD TV report following Walworth's sentencing. The girl's age at the time of the abuse was not disclosed.
The case was investigated as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force, federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Scottville Police Department, and the Mason County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Davin M. Reust.
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