Butler County Man Sentenced in Widespread Jehovah’s Witness Sex Abuse Investigation

Jehovah’s Witness Member Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania

A former member of the Jehovah’s Witness congregation in Butler County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to up to 34 years in prison following a conviction on multiple charges of child sexual abuse. The case, part of a sweeping statewide investigation, underscores growing concerns about systemic abuse within religious institutions.

Shaun Sheffer, 46, was convicted in January 2025 after a four-day trial in Butler County Common Pleas Court. The jury found him guilty of three counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault, and one count of corruption of minors. These offenses stem from repeated assaults he committed against a young girl over a five-year period, beginning when she was just 7 years old.

Years of Abuse Hidden Within a Religious Community

According to court documents and trial testimony, Sheffer’s abuse occurred while he was a member of the Zelienople congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The victim, who is autistic and lives with post-traumatic stress disorder, described being assaulted from the ages of 7 to 12. Prosecutors emphasized how Sheffer exploited her age and mental condition to carry out the abuse undetected.

“This defendant betrayed the trust of the victim for years,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday in a public statement. “Thanks to the bravery of this survivor and the diligence of our prosecutors, justice is being served.”

The trial was closely watched by dozens of observers, with around 25 members of Sheffer’s congregation attending the sentencing hearing. Despite the presence of many supporters, the court handed down a sentence ranging from 14 to 34 years, one of the harshest yet imposed in the state’s ongoing probe into Jehovah’s Witness congregations.

Statewide Investigation Yields Arrests and Exposes Institutional Silence

Launched in 2019, the Pennsylvania attorney general’s investigation into abuse within Jehovah’s Witness congregations has uncovered a troubling pattern of secrecy and inaction. So far, it has led to at least 16 arrests across the state, with 11 resulting in convictions.

Investigators were able to build a case against Sheffer using internal church records obtained through a subpoena and tips received via a dedicated hotline. These documents revealed not only the abuse but also an alleged failure by local church leaders to act on early accusations.

Court filings indicated that the Zelienople congregation had been informed of allegations against Sheffer nearly a decade ago. However, leaders reportedly failed to interview the victim or report the accusations to authorities. This lack of response has raised additional questions about accountability and institutional cover-ups.

The Sheffer case is one of two emerging from the Butler County files reviewed by the state. Additional trials tied to this investigation are expected in Westmoreland and Lancaster counties later this summer.

Abuse Survivors Deserve Legal Representation and Justice

The Jehovah’s Witness abuse investigation has helped shine a light on the dangers of silence and institutional protection over vulnerable members. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse often face barriers to justice — especially when religious or community leaders fail to act.

Legal recourse, however, is still available. In Pennsylvania, legislative efforts and committed legal teams are empowering survivors to come forward, even years after the abuse occurred.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse within a religious setting or any institution, know that you are not alone. Legal assistance is available to help you seek justice, accountability, and compensation for your pain.

Contact Survivors of Abuse PA

Attorney Ashley DiLiberto, Esq., leads the compassionate and experienced legal team at Survivors of Abuse PA. Our firm is dedicated to representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse throughout Pennsylvania — including those harmed by trusted community institutions.

We offer confidential consultations and will guide you through the legal process with dignity and determination. No survivor should suffer in silence. Justice is possible, and we are here to help you pursue it.

Source:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette