St. Louis – A Missouri man accused of kidnapping and molesting two boys was indicted Thursday on federal charges that he took pornographic pictures and videos of one of the youngsters.
The indictment marked the first federal charges against Michael Devlin, 41, a former pizzeria manager from the St. Louis suburbs.
Devlin is charged with kidnapping and other offenses in the 2002 abduction of Shawn Hornbeck, who is now 15, and the January abduction of 13-year-old Ben Ownby. Both boys were found in Devlin’s apartment Jan. 12.
U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway said four counts of the six- count indictment allege Devlin photographed and videotaped a minor engaged in sexually explicit acts between 2002 and this year. Two other counts allege he took the minor to Illinois and Arizona with the intent to sexually assault him.
Besides the federal charges, Devlin faces 75 state charges, including forcible sodomy, kidnapping and armed criminal action. He has pleaded not guilty to all those allegations.
Shawn is ready to testify in the case, no matter how painful it might be, said Scott Sherman, the family’s attorney.
“Justice for (himself) and Ben is a very important element in (Shawn’s) recovery,” Sherman said.
