Ten-week US prison sentence for former child molester described as “the epitome of injustice” | US Crime

A judge sentencing a former upstate New York police officer to 10 weekends in jail after he pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old girl before being forced to resign is “the epitome of injustice” and “dangerous,” according to a prominent child sex abuse survivor activist.

“This verdict is the epitome of injustice and sends a dangerous message to child sexual abusers, saying, 'Don't worry, we won't be too harsh on you,'” Kathryn Robb, national director of the Children's Justice Campaign for the organization Enough Abuse, said Thursday. “This little girl will be trapped in her memories for the rest of her life, while [the rapist] only loses 20 days of his freedom.”

Robb, a lawyer who has helped state legislatures across the U.S. reform child sexual abuse laws, added that “the rape of a child is one of the most horrific crimes that has lifelong consequences for the victim.” And she argued that the case of former Rochester, New York, police officer Shawn Jordan was unconscionable for anyone who believed in the need for harsher penalties and higher civil damages for child abuse cases.

Jordan, 40, pleaded guilty in March to second-degree rape and sexual assault for allegedly abusing a 13-year-old girl in South Bristol, a community in Ontario County, New York, in 2022.

It was one of two separate criminal cases against Jordan involving a minor victim. In the other case, which remained unresolved as of Thursday, authorities in Monroe County, New York, charged him in spring 2023 with exposing himself to a 16-year-old girl on a video call.

As part of a plea agreement reached in the Ontario District case, District Judge Kristina Karle sentenced him Wednesday to 10 weekends in jail and 10 years probation. Karle also ordered Jordan to register as a sex offender and pay fines.

The mother of Jordan's alleged victim begged Karle to send him to prison, saying he had “ruined” her daughter's life and “didn't deserve to be on the streets,” New York ABC affiliate WHAM reported.

According to Rochester news station WROC, Karle agreed to Jordan's deal after telling him, “I hope you feel ashamed, I hope you feel remorse, and I hope you never hurt a child again.”

Although the judge reportedly said Jordan's admitted actions left her “speechless,” she agreed to his plea deal.

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (Rainn) President and Founder Scott Berkowitz joined Robb in expressing his disappointment with the outcome of Jordan's case in Karle's courtroom.

“A sentence of 10 years or more would make much more sense than one in 10 weekends,” Berkowitz said. “He'll be out in a few months, while she'll have to deal with the consequences of his crime for many years to come.”

“This is not justice.”

Local Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford told WHAM, New York NBC affiliate WHEC and other media outlets that she was “not entirely happy with the sentence” handed down to Jordan. But despite the short sentence he received, Wolford said her office accepted Jordan's plea agreement after considering “the impact of actual testimony on the victim of this crime.”

“She is a child and should face her accuser in the courtroom,” Wolford said.

She added: “When I had the opportunity to think about whether or not we would accept a guilty plea – absolutely, all day, under those circumstances.”

According to WHEC, Jordan rushed to his car after his sentencing without answering any questions.

A spokesperson for prosecutors in Monroe County – which includes Rochester – told WHEC that Jordan does not have a court date for his case there, which was the reason for his suspension and subsequent resignation from the Rochester Police Department.