A former Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, resident was sentenced in federal court to 21 years in prison for coercing a minor to produce and send child sexual abuse material.

According to acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti, Shayne A. Clapper, 31, was sentenced to 252 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release.

Authorities say that between January and February 2023, Clapper initiated a sexual relationship with a minor he knew. Clapper provided the minor with a cell phone used to communicate, including requesting and receiving nude images. He also induced the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct to create visual depictions.

Officials did not reveal the age of the victim, other than to say that they had not yet reached the age of 18.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program utilizes federal, state, and local resources to prosecute those who exploit children and to identify and rescue victims.