Canton Man Pleads Guilty To Sexual Exploitation Of Children: Feds

CANTON, MI — A Canton man has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children, acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin said this week.

Shailesh Patel, 53, entered his guilty plea before United States District Judge George Caram Steeh on Wednesday. A sentencing date has been set for July 20.

“The sexual assault of children and the production of child pornography are heinous crimes and those who prey upon our children and commit these acts of violence will be vigorously prosecuted and brought to justice,” Mohsin said. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners involved with the SEMTEC Task Force to protect children from abuse and exploitation.”

As part of his plea, Patel admitted that on at least one occasion in approximately 2010 he gave a 10-year-old female his cell phone and instructed her to make a video producing a visual depiction that constituted child pornography, authorities said.

Patel also pleaded guilty on March 19 in Wayne County Circuit Court to first-, second- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in crimes involving two young girls. He could serve up to 35 years in prison for those offenses, prosecutors said.

Sentencing in that case is scheduled for May 28.