Former University of Michigan professor sentenced on charges of child exploitation of a minor following ICE HSI, local law enforcement assisted investigation
DETROIT – A former University of Michigan professor was sentenced today to 5 years in federal prison after having pleaded guilty in November 2021 to one count of transporting a minor girl across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual conduct, announced acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris, III, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit.
Harris was joined in the announcement by United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Sentenced was Stephen Shipps, 69, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. In sentencing Shipps, United States District Judge Denise Page Hood also ordered Shipps to pay restitution to his victim in the amount of $120,000.00.
According to court records, from 1989 to 2019, Shipps was employed by the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance as a violin professor. Shipps was also the director of the Strings Preparatory Program, which offered instruction to young musicians ranging from elementary school through high school-age. Shipps retired from the University of Michigan in February 2019. In addition, Shipps served on the faculties of Indiana University, the North Carolina School of the Arts, the University of Nebraska – Omaha, and the Banff Centre in Canada. He also taught students at summer music programs in the Czech Republic, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
According to court records, from February and March of 2002, as well as in June and July of 2002, Shipps knowingly transported a minor girl, who was under 18 years old, across state lines, and Shipps intended to engage in sexual activity with her.
“It is my hope that today’s sentencing can bring some closure to Shipps’ victims and sends a powerful message to others in positions of trust that if you prey on the vulnerable you will be held accountable for your actions,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris III. “I am proud of the agents who worked tirelessly on this investigation to ensure that justice was served.”
“I want to commend the brave young women who, after many years, found the courage to come forward and expose the abuse they suffered at the hands of Shipps,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison. “I also want to thank the prosecutors and law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to bring justice in this case.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of the University of Michigan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward prosecuted this case.
HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
Learn more about HSI’s child exploitation mission @HSIDetroit.
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