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Essex man receives 192-year sentence as a ‘predatory sexual offender’
BLOOMFIELD, Mo. — Shea D Johnson pleaded guilty to all amended charges of multiple sex crimes and obtained the designation of “predatory sexual offender” Wednesday, Sept. 18.
According to Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Sawyer Smith, the original case was filed Aug. 2020 and was scheduled to proceed to a jury trial Sept. 24-27 before Circuit Judge Robert N. Mayer.
Smith and First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney LeAnn Ryan recently amended charges in this case to allege five counts of first degree statutory sodomy with a child under age 14, one count of first degree attempted rape with a child under 14, and three counts of Incest. All crimes were alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020.
In the probable cause statement filed by Justin Kemp with the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team, Kemp noted the victim stated Johnson had threatened to kill her if she told anyone what happened.
The amended charges filed by Smith and Ryan specifically sought categorization of the defendant as a “predatory sexual offender.”
The court found that the state had successfully proven that Johnson should be classified as a “predatory sexual offender” under Section 566.125 RSMo. That legal status causes Johnson to face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for each sodomy and rape charge, with eligibility for parole only after 30 years served on each count.
The court also determined that each mandatory life sentence would have to run consecutively, not concurrently, such that the Defendant would be required to complete one sentence before another sentence would begin to run.
After those determinations were made by the court, Johnson pleaded guilty as charged to all counts. Judge Mayer accepted the guilty plea.
The victim read a victim impact statement to the Court, after which Judge Mayer sentenced Johnson to consecutive life sentences on five counts of statutory sodomy, one count of attempted rape, and three counts of incest. In total, Johnson is sentenced to 192 years of imprisonment.
“Justice has been served for the victim and the community. The Defendant is held accountable for his crimes and has received the maximum penalty under law,” Smith stated. “We have also avoided an unnecessary jury trial that would have forced the victim to testify, suffering further anguish. This Office appreciates law enforcement’s work in helping to build a strong case.
“However, we are most proud of the victim, who has been brave and cooperative in order to bring the Defendant to justice. We hope this case sends a clear message that the State will not rest in seeking due justice for child victims in Stoddard County. We will use our best efforts and unrelenting vigor in pursuing serious charges against anyone who commits sexual abuse against minors.”