Hillsborough Man Convicted Of Meaghan’s Law Violation For Township Church Work

A Hillsborough man already imprisoned for sexually assaulting a child was convicted last month of violating a Meaghan’s Law prohibition while volunteering at a township church’s youth ministry.

Shawn Butler, 53, was convicted on May 21 on a single charge of 3^rd Degree Prohibited Participation in a Youth Serving Organization, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

The charge stems from Butler’s working as a youth minister and serving on the executive board of Eternal Life Christian Church on Franklin Boulevard while he was a Meaghan’s Law offender. Butler, who was charged with that offense in August 2014, had been serving in those capacities since August 2009, according to SCPO spokeswoman Det. Jeanne Trillhaase.

Butler, who is currently serving a 2-1/2- to 5-year term for molesting a 15-year-old girl in 2014, faces an addition 2-1/2 to 5 years in prison for the Meaghan’s Law violation. Sentencing on the latest conviction is set for July 19, according to the SCPO press release.

Butler has a history of sexual offenses dating back to 1988, when he was convicted of criminal sexual contact.

In 1990, Butler plead guilty to a sexual assault charge and received a 7-year prison sentence.

Butler is serving his time in the Southern State Correctional Facility in Delmot, according to state Department of Corrections records.

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