A Harmony man arrested following a statewide investigation of child sexual abuse in the Jehovah Witness faith will spend years behind bars.
47-year-old Shaun Sheffer of Harmony was sentenced to 14 to 34 years in prison Tuesday in Butler County Courtroom.
The rapes occurred from 1995 to 2000 when the victim was between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Sheffer is one of 14 Jehovah Witnesses charged across the state in 2023.
Before the sentencing was announced by judge Joseph Kubit, Sheffer’s family were able to defend the man’s character and integrity. Including Sheffer’s wife Megan.
“I couldn’t have chosen a better life partner than Shaun,” said his wife Megan.
His daughter Oliva who had just graduated high school last week and will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree come the fall only remembered a man that inspired her.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without (my father),” said Oliva.
Oliva also shared a story of purchasing records every year with her father. But due to his incarceration the records bought every year on record day have never been played. Oliva hopes the first play of the records would been when Shaun was freed.
Sheffer’s other daughter, who turned 15 Tuesday, also shared how her father played a crucial and positive role in her life.
An aunt to Sheffer, Kathleen Smith, who had a still birth days before Sheffer’s birth and saw Shaun as the son she had lost also spoke. She claims she was another mother for Sheffer and never saw the tendencies to commit these crimes.
“You can’t go through life with camouflage as a good person,” said Smith.
After the victim testimony, all who spoke referenced Sheffer’s strong connection to God and integrity.
During the emotional sentencing hearing the victim and a close family member who helped bring the original allegations to light did not read their victim statements. But in the writing, they described a challenging and painful existence.
They accused family members of Sheffer of ostracizing the victim. Almost 30 years after the initial assault they are still dealing with depression, therapy, and scares both mental and physical.
