GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A prisoner's plot to sexually assault a teen after his 15-year prison sentence ended will keep him locked up for decades.
Shane Lee Scott, 41, was sentenced Monday, May 2, to nearly 34 years in federal prison for attempted coercion or enticement of a minor.
He was two days shy of release when he was indicted for plotting behind bars the sexual assault of a mentally challenged teen.
U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo also ordered Scott to be on supervised release for 20 years once the prison sentence ends. He called the crime "shocking" and "virtually incomprehensible."
He called Scott a "predator" who was "virtually certain to re-offend."
Scott's attorney, David Kaczor, had concerns about his client's psychiatric condition but Scott was found competent to stand trial.
Scott was originally sentenced in Branch County to eight years, four months to 15 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child under 13.
Linda Ehle
He was supposed to be released from prison after serving the maximum when he was indicted for writing letters to the girl's mother from Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia County.
The woman, Linda Ehle, 48, of Coldwater, is serving three years, two months to seven years in prison after pleading no contest to using a computer to commit a crime.
Police say her daughter is mentally delayed, disabled and non-verbal.
Prison officials had intercepted letters between Ehle and Scott, who dated each other before he was sent to prison. He arranged to have sex with the girl upon his release from prison.
The girl is now in a safe home, authorities said.
Federal advisory sentencing guidelines called for a minimum range of 267 to 327 months in prison. Kaczor asked for a sentence below guidelines.
Instead, the judge sentenced Scott to 405 months.
Kaczor argued that Ehle's involvement in the plot was the same or worse than his client's but their punishments were dramatically different.
Ehle proposed the sexual encounters but eventually reconsidered, fearing she would be found out and lose custody of her daughter. Scott had looked forward to having sex with the girl and was devastated, his attorney said.
"What followed were numerous letters and emails from Mr. Scott to his girlfriend in an effort to change her mind. These correspondences serve as the basis for Mr. Scott's conviction."
He noted that Scott did not follow through on his intentions.
John Agar covers crime and other issues for MLiveE-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar