A California mother was sentenced to more than three decades in prison on Thursday for holding alcohol-fueled, sexualized parties for teens.
Shannon O’Connor, also known as Shannon Bruga, received a maximum term of 35 years and 10 months in state prison.
The Los Gatos woman was convicted in March on dozens of crimes stemming from underage drinking parties and minor sexual misconduct. Prosecutors claimed she fostered nonconsensual sexual conduct among some of the kids.
“For the first time in a long time, for these brave, strong, and resilient children and their families, there is some justice,” said Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen.
According to the district attorney’s office, O’Connor, 52, has served about nine and a half years in jail. That leaves her sentence at approximately 27 years. It could be less if she behaves well in prison, but her counsel said she is basically serving a life sentence.
While O’Connor cried during some of the victim impact statements and her own testimony in court, she remained composed when her sentence was handed down.
Her attorney, Stephen Prekoski, stated that they will appeal.
“She never had a meaningful opportunity to settle this case,” Prekoski stated. “I am not convinced by those who feel she was not regretful. I’m not persuaded by those who say she didn’t accept responsibility for her acts.”
Many of the victims and their parents attended the sentencing session. They requested the maximum sentence. When it came down, some were shocked that it had happened, but they were also quite satisfied.
Victims and parents spoke outside court following the sentencing, including Kate Gude, the mother who led the police investigation.
“This shows that when you come together, you put these bad people away and the kids have a shot,” she replied. “You need to speak up and speak out. It’s the only way to keep everyone safe, happy, and healthy.”
Parents stated that the parties were not the major issue. O’Connor, who continues to deny claims of orchestrating sexual impropriety between youngsters, spent years grooming, manipulating, and harassing their children, some of whom were as young as 11 and 12.
O’Connor spoke during the sentencing hearing on Thursday.
“I wanted to take the time to address the court and all of the families involved, including mine,” she said. “For the past five years, I’ve had the chance and time to reflect on this case and what went wrong. I’m not here to make excuses for my actions. I’m fully aware about how you all feel about me. I know that you all entrusted me and I let you all down. Because of my actions or lack thereof I have been absent from my own children, missing major milestone and time that I can never get back. They as well as your sons and daughters have suffered. They have lived these past five years parentless.”
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