A former West Michigan orthodontist will serve 60 years in federal prison after prosecutors said he sexually exploited dozens of children online. The punishment was issued on Monday in federal court in Grand Rapids, after a multistate probe that officials say lasted several years.
US Attorney Timothy VerHey announced the sentence yesterday in a press statement from the US Department of Justice, stating, “Shannon’s selfish and senseless exploitation of these children has exposed them to a lifetime of emotional damage.” According to the Justice Department, the exploitation took place between 2019 and 2024, with victims as young as 12.
CBS Detroit reported that the inquiry started when a 16-year-old in North Carolina reported experiencing sexual exploitation on Snapchat. An investigation of Snapchat behavior led investigators to identify more kids across state lines, bringing the total number of victims in the federal case to 18.
Before his arrest, Shannon practiced as an orthodontist in Grandville and maintained an office in Plainwell. Both practices stopped following his arrest in 2023, according to previous reports. Hoodline coverage documented the first instance and the therapist’s tip, which sparked the inquiry.
According to industry reports, Shannon hired a private forensic expert to analyze his phone, and the examiner turned over evidence to authorities after discovering a huge volume of unlawful material. According to DrBicuspid and local media, authorities expanded their investigation and discovered communications, photographs, and transactional data linking him to other victims.
According to local reports, some of the payments were made through Cash App and other platforms, and court documents show that Shannon paid a foster care victim about $2,000 for pornographic videos. According to FOX 17 and other outlets, authorities traced transactions and identified additional victims using Cash App and Snapchat records.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations in collaboration with the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, the Fuquay-Varina Police Department, and the Prince George’s County Police Department as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. The criminal proceedings also resulted in the forfeiture of Shannon’s yacht in Ottawa County, according to the United States Department of Justice.
According to October 2025 reports, Shannon agreed to a federal plea in the case, and prosecutors argued for the maximum punishment, claiming his actions were part of a recurrent pattern of abuse. Dr. Bicuspid reported on the earlier plea, and the federal court issued the 60-year judgment and corresponding forfeiture yesterday.
According to investigators and campaigners, the case highlights both the hazards of online predatory behavior and the need for cross-jurisdictional collaboration in locating victims and holding criminals accountable. Local reports from CBS Detroit and FOX 17 provide additional information about the investigation and court procedures.
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