BILLINGS — A 48-year-old federal fish and game agent in Montana has pleaded not guilty to charges involving sexual crimes against a child.
Shawn T. Conrad entered the plea Tuesday to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography charges in U.S. District Court in Billings.
The Billings Gazette reports that Conrad has worked as a special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Billings region, although his current employment status couldn’t be verified. A message on the federal agency’s phone lines says its public affairs office was closed due to the federal government shutdown.
According to the indictment, Conrad coerced or otherwise caused a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce an image of the conduct, knowing the image would be transmitted.
Clarification: This story’s headline previously said “Montana Fish and Game Agent.” The headline has been updated for accuracy to state “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agent.”