HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The jury trial for a Nickerson man charged in an indecent liberties and child exploitation case got underway Tuesday in front of an all male jury.
Shanon Patrick Williams is charged with aggravated indecent liberties with a child, indecent liberties with a child and three counts of sexual exploitation of a child. He was arrested after the Reno County Sheriff’s Department assisted Homeland Security and the Wichita Missing and Exploited Child Unit in serving a search warrant on his residence in Nickerson.
District Attorney Keith Schroeder told the jury that the images of his autistic step-daughter showed up in Russia and authorities there contact the U.S. State Department who then gave the case to Homeland Security.
The state alleges the girl was 13 and 14 years old at the time of the alleged crimes. The state alleges he was trying trade the photos for other pornographic pictures and movies. The crimes allegedly occurring between September 13, 2011 and July 31, 2013.
The defense agrees that Williams took some pictures, but denies the allegations of any lewd fondling or touching of the child. They also claim that any actions by Williams occurred when the child was over 14.
The trial is just getting underway and is expected to last into Thursday.