A Memphis man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison after being convicted of traveling across state lines to engage in sexual activity with a minor and for cyberstalking. Andreus Shannon, 44, was found guilty of exploiting his position as a basketball coach for a homeschool association to gain the trust of a minor and her parents.
According to court documents, Shannon groomed both the minor female player and her family, eventually gaining permission to transport her to practices and scrimmages in Mississippi and Tennessee. Over several years, he sexually exploited the victim at various locations including his home in Memphis, gyms across both states, and a rental property in Tennessee. When the victim turned 18 and attempted to end their relationship, Shannon began cyberstalking her and threatened to release explicit images unless she continued contact with him. This behavior continued for two years.
Chief District Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Shannon to 144 months in prison for traveling interstate for illicit sexual activity with a minor, along with a concurrent 60-month sentence for cyberstalking. After serving his sentence, Shannon will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender wherever he resides or works.
“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 case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from local law enforcement agencies including the Memphis Police Department and Olive Branch Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Parker S. King prosecuted this case under Project Safe Childhood—a national program aimed at combating child sexual exploitation by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local authorities (www.projectsafechildhood.gov).
