BUFFALO, N.Y. — A WNY soccer trainer is facing charges, accused of exchanging naked photos of her breasts with minors.
Shelby Garigen, 41, is charged with receipt of child pornography and access with intent to view child pornography.
Investigators say a parent contacted an assistant district attorney in Monroe County and told officials that Garigen allegedly had inappropriate chats via Snapchat with his 17-year-old son. Garigen had served as the athletic trainer for the victim's soccer team up until one month prior to the complaint.
The Monroe County District Attorney's office contacted the FBI to investigate.
According to the complaint, Garigen and the victim communicated via Snapchat from November 2018 to February 2019. The conversation turned sexual about a week or two later with Garigen allegedly sending the victim a picture of her breasts. Garigen allegedly asked the victim to send her a naked picture.
Investigators say Garigen sent the victim seven or eight nude photos of herself and had asked the victim to send naked pictures about eight or nine times.
During that investigation, officials say an undercover investigator assumed the identity of the first victim and re-engaged with Garigen on Snapchat. They say Garigen sent videos of herself engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Arrangements were made for Garigen to meet the victim so that the two could engage in sexual activity.
Investigators say they discovered Garigen exchanged nude pictures with a second 17-year-old male victim who was on the soccer team.
"While this case is somewhat unusual in that the defendant is a woman, it is familiar in the sense that defendant used two of the most frequent and common methods that child predators use in order to gain access to children. The first is the internet and the second is occupying a position of authority and trust in the child's life. Parents should be coaching their kids on how to defend themselves from these sorts of predators," said US Attorney James P Kennedy.
Investigators are looking for more information related to this case. If you have information, you can contact the FBI at: 716-843-1616.
If convicted, Garigen faces a minimum of five years in prison or a maximum of 30 years and a $250,000 fine.