A Memphis man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after being convicted of transporting a minor across state lines for sexual activity and engaging in cyberstalking. Andreus Shannon, 44, posed as a basketball coach with an area homeschool association and used his role to gain the trust of a minor female player and her family.
According to court documents, Shannon exploited this position over several years, driving the girl to practices and games in both Mississippi and Tennessee. He sexually abused the minor at multiple locations, including his home in Memphis, gyms across both states, and a rental property. After the victim turned 18 and attempted to end contact with him, Shannon began harassing her online. He threatened to release explicit images unless she continued their relationship. This conduct continued for two years.
Chief District Judge Debra M. Brown handed down a sentence of 144 months for traveling interstate for illicit sexual activity with a minor, alongside a concurrent five-year sentence for cyberstalking. Upon release, Shannon will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender wherever he lives, works or studies.
“The defendant’s crimes represented a truly reprehensible betrayal of trust, and he is now in prison where he belongs,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “The work by AUSA Parker King, the FBI, the Memphis Police Department, and especially the Olive Branch Police Department was truly outstanding and deserving of our thanks.”
“Andreus Shannon, callously undermined the trust of unsuspecting parents, preying on a minor for years,” stated Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff. “Shannon’s deliberate actions in targeting the innocence of our youth will not be tolerated. The FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Olive Branch Police Department, Oxford Police Department and the Memphis Police Department will continue to aggressively investigate and bring predatory individuals like Shannon to justice.”
The investigation was led by the FBI with support from both local police departments in Memphis and Olive Branch.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King prosecuted this case under Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative designed to address child sexual exploitation online by bringing together federal prosecutors with state and local agencies to locate offenders as well as victims (www.projectsafechildhood.gov).
