SPOKANE, WA. — A former paraeducator with the Riverside School District in Spokane County has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple felony charges involving the exploitation of minors, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.

Dallas Michael Shuler was sentenced March 25 to 360 months in prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release. The case stems from an investigation launched in 2024 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after authorities were alerted to concerning online activity involving minors.

According to court documents, investigators identified numerous victims connected to the case. Prosecutors said the conduct involved both online communication and in-person offenses, and spanned a period of time before it was stopped by law enforcement.

Officials said the case also involved the misuse of online platforms, including Snapchat, to contact minors. Authorities described the actions as a serious violation of trust, particularly given the defendant’s role working in a school setting.

During the sentencing hearing, victims and family members shared statements describing the lasting emotional impact of the crimes. Prosecutors emphasized that the offenses affected multiple individuals and had long-term consequences for those involved.

Shuler did not speak during sentencing, according to officials.

Federal authorities said the case reflects broader efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes involving the exploitation of minors. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including federal and local law enforcement partners, and was prosecuted under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood program.