“I was hoping for a whole lot more,” said one victim’s mother, who the Springfield News-Sun isn’t naming to protect the girl’s identity. “During the trial, he said it never happened and now all of a sudden he’s so sorry he did it. No, he’s sorry he got caught.”
Shook could have faced up to 39 years in prison, which is what Logan County Prosecutor William Goslee sought. Judge Mark O’Connor gave Shook the maximum sentence for each charge, but let some sentences run concurrently.
“I’m two years and four months into my tenure of my office, your honor, and not one time have I stood before you and said an individual is deserving of the maximum available to this court. I do that today and I do it sincerely,” Goslee said. “A maximum sentence of 39 years can always be reviewed down the road, but we do need to send a very, very strong message.”
Goslee added that teachers are meant to protect children, not prey upon them.
“I would have liked to see more time, but I understand the judge’s logic,” Goslee said.
The prosecutor said Shook will serve at least five years of the sentence. Shook was also designated as a tier three sex offender and must report his address every 90 days once he is out of prison. Shook can never teach or coach again.
The father of a victim, who served in the military, in a pre-written statement said his daughter has faced alot of criticism and scrutiny from students at school.
The defense argued being labeled a sex offender for life and never being able to teach again was punishment enough.
Shook apologized to his family, Riverside High School and the victims.
“It feels like all the good things I’ve done in my career have been wiped out,” Shook said.
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