COLUMBUS – A Mt Sterling woman has pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor after a mother found evidence of the act on her 13-year-old son’s phone.
In October of 2023, 24-year-old Payton Shires was charged with four counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a Minor, two counts of intimidation of a victim, and one count of inducing panic.
Shires after being arrested the first time and being charged with unlawful sexual conduct and posting bail, went to the home of the son and mother with a gun and threatened to shoot the mother for exposing her. When police arrived at the home Shires had fired one round into the home, police said that was an accident.
Shires could face up to 30 years in prison for her crimes she will be sentenced after a presentencing investigation occurs. She will be officially sentenced on June 27th.
Ms. Shires was a licensed social worker involved in counseling youth, formerly employed by the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP). She had only been a councilor for a short time after spending many years in college.
