A disgraced Rochester police officer was sentenced to 10 weekends in jail after admitting to assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2022, one of at least two sexually predatory crimes he committed while serving on the force. Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford decried the punishment as “the epitome of injustice,” saying that the parents had trusted Jordan and that trusting police officers was already difficult enough.
Shawn Jordan, 40, pleaded guilty to second-degree rape and forcible touching in connection with an incident at his home in South Bristol, a community in Ontario County. He was arrested six months after being charged in another case for allegedly exposing himself to another teenager through online video chat.
The sentence of 10 weekends in jail followed by 10 years of probation came as part of a plea agreement. Prosecutors said that Jordan had desperately tried to avoid spending time in jail and facing violence targeted at both child predators and police officers, while the prosecution was also trying to keep the young victim from testifying about her trauma. The victim’s family pleaded with the court for Jordan to be sent to prison, but their wishes were not granted.
Activists have criticized the plea deal, which the judge approved after telling Jordan, “I hope you feel shame.” Kathryn Robb, the national director of the Children’s Justice Campaign at the Enough Abuse organization, called the sentence “the epitome of injustice and a dangerous nod to child sexual predators,” saying that the young girl would be traumatized for life while Jordan only lost 20 days of his freedom.
Jordan is now required to register as a sex offender, but could still face prison time for his second sexual offense, which led to his suspension and eventual resignation from the Rochester Police Department. A court date has not yet been scheduled for that case.
