(Salt Lake City, UT) - A former Boy Scout leader was sentenced today to prison on his 34th birthday for collecting and manufacturing child pornography. Third District Judge Robin Reese ordered Shawn Thomas Whiting to serve one-to-15 years in prison on four second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Whiting was originally targeted by the Salem, Oregon Police Department when they discovered he was advertising to share child pornography files. Salem detectives contacted the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force to help investigate the Taylorsville man. Whiting was arrested last November after Utah agents discovered hundreds of child pornography images, including pictures of the young son of a relative.

“This is a sad reminder that people who collect child pornography often abuse children and manufacture and distribute images of their own crimes,” says Assistant Attorney General and ICAC Prosecutor Paul G. Amann. “However, this case is also a great example of how law enforcement agencies from different states can work together to bring justice to a sex offender.”

Until he was arrested Whiting was working for Intermountain Health Care as a registrar at LDS Hospital and Alta View Hospital and had previously served as a Boy Scout leader. As a family member, he occupied a position of special trust with respect to his victims.

“Prison is the appropriate place for this defendant,” says Supervisory Special Agent Patty Reed.“The victim and his family are relieved that Whiting will not be able to hurt anyone else.”

Judge Reese also ordered Whiting to pay for all counseling costs for his victim.