News

Actions

Newport News school janitor arrested in child pornography investigation

Posted at 3:05 PM, Nov 16, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-16 15:06:39-05

ISLE OF WIGHT Co., Va. - The Isle of Wight County Sheriff's Office announced that it had arrested a Newport News school janitor after a month-long investigation into the solicitation of child porn over the internet on January 11.

Shawn Lipscomb. (IOWCSO)

The sheriff's office, in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Bedford County Virginia Sheriff's Offices Southern Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, were made aware of a social media account that was actively soliciting images of underage children on social media.

A search warrant was executed in the 5400 block of Arlington Avenue in Newport News. 47-year-old Shawn Lipscomb, who is currently employed as a janitor with the Newport News School System, was charged with two counts of using a computer system to facilitate certain offenses involving children.

Various electronic devices were seized from the home.

A spokesperson for Newport News Public Schools told News 3 Lipscomb has been employed as a custodian at Newsome Park Elementary School since 2011. As a result of his arrest, he has been suspended without pay.

Lipscomb was held at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail without bond.

Two counts of using a computer to solicit pornographic images from a child under the age of 18 were certified to a grand jury on January 11.

On May 22, Lipscomb's charges were nolle pressed in Isle of Wight Circuit Court.

Download the News 3 app for updates.