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 predatory criminal sexual assault on Sept. 26, 2019. Shafer pled guilty to a sole count of predatory criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony on Dec. 14, 2021.

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Meyer noted the defendant held a position of trust and authority with the minor and abused that position, saying, "You (Schafer) were the monster under the bed. You violated the (minor's) trust." Although offered, Shafer did not make a statement at the hearing.

"I commend the Staunton Police Department, especially Det. Throne, for their swift work on this case," Garrison said. "I pray this begins the recovery process for the victim and the victim's family."

Shafer will be required to serve 85 percent of his Class X felony sentence and will not be eligible for parole until 2037.