Former Staunton man sentenced to 20 years

Macoupin County State's Attorney Jordan J. Garrison announced on Monday that Jerry E. Shafer, age 36, formerly of Staunton, has been sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Joshua A. Meyer.

In January of 2019, a report was made to the Staunton Police Department that a male subject had forced a minor under the age of 13 years to place the minor's hand on his penis. The investigation was conducted by Detective Shawn Throne of the Staunton Police Department with coordination from Macoupin County United Child Advocacy Center. The defendant was charged with predator...