From UF to Florida Prison: Former Student Begins Serving CSAM Sentence

On August 5, Shalom Ishrael Maurol Barnes, 20, was transferred into the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections to serve a seven-year prison sentence for child sex crimes.

On October 13, 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received an investigative lead from Discord regarding the account “sb_2xx” engaging in child exploitation. The tip included five child sexual abuse material (CSAM) videos. The videos were uploaded to Discord by the account user and distributed. 

The phone number connected to the account belonged to Barnes and his previous username was “shalombarnes” (his own name). The account was also connected to Barnes’ email, ufontoptho@gmail.com. 

Barnes communicated with another Discord user about CSAM when he was distributing it.

Barnes was in Discord channels with names that reference “CP” and “pizza hub” Gainesville Police Department Detective Donna Montague reported, “I know that ‘cp’ is commonly used to refer to child pornography and that ‘pizza…’ more specifically ‘cheese pizza’ is commonly used to refer to child pornography.”

Montague reported, "[Barnes] stated that he remembers being in at least one of the servers that is dedicated to child sexual abuse material distribution. [Barnes] advised that he didn't remember sending the five videos in the group chat because it was almost a year ago.”

Montague reported, “When asked when the last time he remembers distributing/sharing child sexual abuse material, [Barnes] said that he doesn't do that stuff currently. [Barnes] went on to say that he last viewed it on Twitter, approximately two months ago.”

Barnes was arrested on July 19, 2025, on a warrant for five counts of possessing CSAM and five counts of distributing CSAM. At first appearance, Judge Susan Miller-Jones set the total bond at $400,000. His criminal defense attorney motioned to reduce bond the following month. 

According to the bond motion, “[Barnes] is a life-long Florida resident and a student at the University of Florida. He is not a flight risk… As a student at the University of Florida, [Barnes] would be considered indigent if not for the intervention of his family. [Barnes]’ mother is supporting him during this proceeding. She is a shift worker in the healthcare field and is the sole financial provider supporting a family of seven. Two of her children are in college, the rest are minor children… Considering the financial position of [Barnes] and his family, bond set at $400,000.00 collectively for all Counts is tantamount to no bond being offered. An accused Defendant without any prior criminal history or risk of flight being held on such a bond is inherently unreasonable… The right of an accused to be released on reasonable conditions pending trial is enshrined in Florida's constitution…”

Judge David Kreider granted the motion and set the bond at $175,000, which Barnes posted soon after.

On September 19, 2025, Barnes’ attorney made a motion to modify the bond conditions. 

The motion states, “Bond conditions at the time of his arrest include no internet or computer access or usage, and well as no contact with minors under the age of 18… [Barnes] is currently enrolled as a student at the University of Florida. Internet and computer usage is a necessity for him to resume his studies… [Barnes] prays this Court will modify his bond conditions to allow for computer and internet access for the sole purpose of resuming his academic studies. [Barnes] is prepared to restrict his computer usage to a single, dedicated device with sufficient restrictive and monitoring software installed. [Barnes] is further prepared to restrict his internet access to [UF] authorized academic websites and portals, student email, necessary research and information websites based on the requirements of his course load, and any further restrictions this Court deems appropriate.”

The motion further states that Barnes “lost his lease in Student Housing” after his arrest and asked that he be permitted to live at home where his minor siblings also reside.

“There has never been any prior concern about safety or inappropriate conduct between [Barnes] and his siblings,” the motion states. "[Barnes]' adult relatives are willing to act in any supervisory capacity necessary to ensure the Court that all contact between [Barnes] and his siblings is appropriate and in keeping with any safety concerns the Court may have.”

Kreider granted the motion. 

On July 21, 2026, Barnes entered into a guilty or no-contest plea agreement with prosecutors, in which he was convicted of five counts of possessing CSAM and five counts of directing or promoting a sexual performance by a child, and sentenced to seven years in prison followed by ten years of sex offender probation. 

Barnes is currently scheduled to be released in 2033.