KC Reporter

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Lenexa, Kansas, man has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison without parole for possession and distribution of child pornography. Shaun Walker, 41, currently residing in Springfield, Mo., received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough.

Walker, a former employee of Honeywell Federal Manufacturing and Technology, was found with child pornography on his personal cell phone while in a secure area at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Security Campus in Kansas City, Mo. He pleaded guilty to attempting to distribute child pornography over the internet.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Walker will also face 15 years of supervised release following his incarceration and must register as a sex offender upon release, subject to federal and state registration requirements. The investigation revealed disturbing details, including an encrypted folder on Walker’s phone containing images and videos of underage children.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine A. Connelly prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Walker's actions highlight the ongoing efforts to address the serious issue of child exploitation, and authorities emphasize the importance of online safety education to prevent such crimes in the future.