A former Rochester police officer has been handed a remarkably lenient sentence of just ten weekends in jail after pleading guilty to raping a 13-year-old girl in 2022.
Shawn Jordan, 40, received the sentence on Wednesday as part of a plea deal in connection with the rape of a teenager from South Bristol. In addition to his brief jail term, Jordan will be on probation for ten years and will be required to register as a sex offender.
The victim’s mother had implored Ontario County Judge Kristina Karle to impose a harsher sentence, but her pleas were rejected. The mother’s emotional statement in court highlighted the devastating impact of Jordan’s crime on her now-15-year-old daughter’s life.
Ontario County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford acknowledged that the sentence was weak, but defended the decision by citing the potential trauma that the victim would have faced if she had been required to testify in court. Wolford emphasized that the victim’s well-being was a key consideration in the decision to accept a guilty plea.
The prosecutor expressed relief that the case had been resolved, but also acknowledged that Jordan’s sentence was not entirely satisfactory. Wolford noted that the community had reported that Jordan had been boasting about the leniency of his punishment, which was a concern.
Jordan’s crime has had a lasting impact on the victim and her family, who have been left to pick up the pieces. The victim’s mother stated in court that Jordan’s actions had ruined her daughter’s life and that he did not deserve to be free.
Jordan is facing additional legal trouble, having been charged in a separate case in March 2023 with exposing himself to another underage victim on a video call. This incident ultimately led to his resignation from the Rochester Police Department. While Jordan could potentially face prison time for these charges, a court date has not yet been set.
