Michael T. Cowley - Charged with Child Porn - Posing on Facebook

A 38-year-old Shawnee man has been indicted on child pornography charges after allegedly posing as a 19-year-old woman on Facebook.

Michael T. Cowley was charged by U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch with producing, receiving and possessing child pornography and using a computer and the Internet to persuade a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity.

The indictment accuses Cowley of persuading minors, including a 13-year-old boy, to send photos of themselves engaging in sexual activity. The crimes allegedly occurred between October and Feb. 23 in Johnson County.

If convicted, Cowley faces 15 to 30 years in prison and a fine as high as $250,000 on the charge of producing child pornography.