71-year-old ‘sexual psychopath’ gets 17 1/2 years in prison

A 71-year-old Orange County man described by authorities as a “sexual psychopath” was sentenced Monday to 17 1/2 years in federal prison for attempting to engage in illicit sexual conduct with his wife’s 7-year-old niece overseas.

Arthur Leroy Shoot, who has residences in Mission Viejo and the Philippines, was arrested Sept. 3, 2008, on his return to Los Angeles International Airport, where he was found to be carrying pornographic pictures of the girl.

Shoot, who pleaded guilty in April, was described by federal prosecutors as a “a self-admitted pedophile” who has been convicted of child-sex offenses three times since 1963.

-- Shelby Grad