POCATELLO — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section), published as received.

POCATELLO – U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced the outcomes in two separate eastern Idaho cases in which the defendants were sentenced to 15 years and 12 years in federal prison, respectively, for sex crimes against minor children.

“These cases reflect our steadfast commitment to bring to justice criminals who use digital technology, the internet, and cameras to sexually victimize young children,” said U.S. Attorney Hurwit.  “Sadly, there is much work to be done, but the strong partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement will continue to make an impact. We are one team motivated to do as much as possible to stop anyone who would harm Idaho’s kids.”

Shaun Patrick Conley, 53, of Shelley, was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography.  According to court records, on July 28, 2023, a parole search was conducted at Conley’s residence.  Conley was on parole for a prior sexual offense involving a minor.  During the parole search, law enforcement discovered images on Conley’s phone that showed his attempt to surreptitiously film an 11-year-old child that was undressed.  Law enforcement identified the minor as a child belonging to a family that Conley had befriended.  Conley had introduced himself to the family of the minor using the name Shaun Millard and had denied having previously been convicted of a sex offense.  Law enforcement also found four pairs of the 11-year-old child’s underwear at Conley’s house.  Finally, law enforcement found a collection of child pornography in Conley’s possession.

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Conley to be placed on supervised release for ten years following his prison sentence.  Conley will also be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction.  Conley pleaded guilty to the charge on April 19, 2024.

In a separate case, Mathew Dayton White, 44, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 152 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography.  According to court records, On February 1, 2023, law enforcement received a report that White had hidden a camera in a 13-year-old child’s bedroom.  On February 2, 2023, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at White’s residence.  Multiple electronic devices including computers and hard drives were seized from White’s home and forensically searched.  Homeland Security Investigations identified over 4,000 images of child pornography on White’s devices.

Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered White to be placed on supervised release for the remainder of his life following his prison sentence, and White was ordered to pay $184,050 in restitution to be distributed among 24 victims.  White will also be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction.  White pleaded guilty to the charge on March 28, 2024.

“HSI makes it a priority to identify predators anywhere they may be found to stop the exploitation of children, in coordination with our law enforcement partners,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. "Whether it is a repeat offender or a predator acting covertly to fulfill their own repugnant desires, we will never stop fighting for children who deserve to grow up free from harm.”

The Conley case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Idaho Falls, Idaho State Probation and Parole, the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Blackfoot Police Department, and the Shelley Police Department.  The White case was investigated by HSI in Idaho Falls, the Pocatello Police Department, and the Idaho Falls Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Paskett prosecuted both cases.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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