Kent Co. orthodontist accused of possessing child porn charged

A Kent County orthodontist accused of possessing child pornography and using Snapchat to exploit a teen has been arrested, officials said.

Thomas Shannon, 43, of Byron Center, was arrested for five charges related to child exploitation, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey said Wednesday.

Shannon is charged with attempted receipt of child pornography, receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography, attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor, VerHey said.

If convicted, he faces 5 to 20 years in prison for attempted receipt of child pornography, 5 to 20 years for the receipt of child pornography, up to 20 years for possession, 15 to 30 years for attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, and 15 to 30 years for th