Convicted Rapist Gets 4 Years After Fountain Valley Sex Sting

ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- A convicted sex offender who contacted an undercover Fountain Valley police officer posing as a teenage girl was sentenced Friday to four years in prison for intent to commit a sex crime.

Troy William Shellenbaum, 34, who pleaded guilty in July, was given credit for 996 days already served behind bars while awaiting trial.

Shellenbaum pleaded guilty to luring a child with the intent to commit a sex crime and meeting a minor to commit lewd conduct, both of which are felonies.

According to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Shellenbaum contacted the undercover officer, who was posing as a 15-year-old girl, through social media Aug. 3, 2018. When Shellenbaum showed up at a park in the city to meet the fictitious girl, he was arrested.

In October 2006, Shellenbaum pleaded guilty to rape, and was sentenced to three years in prison. Then in March 2016, he pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender and was sentenced to two years in prison; the sentence was suspended however, and he was given credit for serving 204 days in custody, according to court records.

City News Service contributed to this report.