VB man lured minors into sex

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A Virginia Beach man was found guilty Friday of multiple charges after he successfully attempted to lure two female minors into engaging in sexual acts with him, according to the Eastern District U.S. Attorney's office.

Shawn F. Engle, 33, was found guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor, three counts of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity, and nine counts of witness tampering. His maximum penalty is life in prison, a $3,250,000 fine and supervised release until his death.

“This case represents every parent’s worst nightmare,” said U.S. Attorney Neil H. MacBride. “It shows the dangers of talking with strangers online and why every young person and their parents need to take this issue very seriously. My office is doing everything it can to protect young girls from sexual predators and ensure they are caught and are unable to prey on others.”

According to the attorney's office, Engle met two girls, aged 17 and 13, online and communicated with them through telephone and text messaging during 2008.

Engle traveled to Pennsylvania on two occasions in April 2008 to meet the 17-year-old; the second time, he gave her alcohol, persuaded her into having sex with him. He video taped this event.

Then, Engle took interest in a 13-year-old from South Carolina in August 2008. When the girl ran away from home, Engle picked her up and brought her to Virginia Beach. He then drove her to Gates County, N.C. to a relatives, where she was later found by authorities in September 2008.

Engle was then arrested on a kidnapping warrant the next month. While detained, he learned of an investigation conducted on him and wrote letters to the two victims, asking them to lie about their involvement. In the letter to the 13-year-old, he talked about sexual activities that had transpired between them.