Columbus, Ohio (February 15, 2024) – A former school resource officer in East Liverpool was sentenced today to 90 days in jail for sending sexually explicit messages and a photo to a teenage student. The sentencing, announced by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, serves as a harsh reminder of the responsibility entrusted to those in positions of authority.
“When individuals entrusted with protecting children turn into predators, they deserve serious consequences,” stated Attorney General Yost. “This officer’s actions were a clear violation of the trust placed in him, and this sentence reflects the severity of his crime.”
Shawn Long, 51, pleaded guilty in December to disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, a fifth-degree felony. He received a sentence of 90 days in jail with credit for time served, two years of probation, $1,000 in restitution for the victim, and 250 hours of community service. Additionally, his conviction permanently bars him from working as a police officer in Ohio.
The investigation revealed that Long engaged in inappropriate communication with a 17-year-old female student via Facebook in 2020. The messages included a sexually explicit photo and expressions of his desire for a sexual relationship. Long served as a school resource officer at the student’s high school at the time, highlighting the breach of trust involved in his actions.
Following the incident, Long was placed on administrative leave and ultimately resigned from the East Liverpool Police Department. The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation led the investigation, and the Special Prosecutions Section prosecuted the case in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
This case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of abuse of power and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially those entrusted with the safety and well-being of young people.
