Shawn Adampeter Grunther, a 42-year-old resident of Marion County, has pleaded guilty to attempting to entice a minor for sexual activity. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Grunther could face a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A date for sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
According to court documents, the case began in July 2025 when a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) posed online as a 14-year-old girl. After learning the supposed age of the individual, Grunther engaged in sexually explicit communication with the undercover account. He was arrested on July 24, 2025, after traveling to a location in Marion County intending to meet the minor for sexual activity.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse across the country. The program brings together federal, state, and local agencies to investigate and prosecute offenders while working to identify and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
