Back In Trouble
New Charges Loom For McGaheysville Child Molester
Posted: January 23, 2013
HARRISONBURG — A McGaheysville man convicted in November of fondling a 13-year-old relative faces new charges.
In a Rockingham County Circuit Court trial on Nov. 2, Galen Craig Shifflett, 46, of the 200 block of Goose Lane, was found guilty of felony aggravated sexual battery.
The jury recommended that Shifflett, who faced up to 20 years in prison, serve five years and pay a $15,000 fine.
On Monday, grand jurors indicted him on eight new felonies, including two counts of rape. The new allegations involve a different victim.
In the initial case, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office began investigating in November 2011, when deputies responded to a sexual assault complaint.
At trial, the victim told jurors that she was home alone the morning of Nov. 21, 2011, when Shifflett knocked on her door. She testified she let him in and he began to grope her. After about 10 to 15 seconds, she said, she was able to free herself.
Shifflett had previous felony convictions for perjury and eluding police.
The new indictment involves crimes Shifflett allegedly committed from 2005 through 2011.
He is scheduled to appear in circuit court for a hearing on pretrial motions on Feb. 19.
Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com
In a Rockingham County Circuit Court trial on Nov. 2, Galen Craig Shifflett, 46, of the 200 block of Goose Lane, was found guilty of felony aggravated sexual battery.
The jury recommended that Shifflett, who faced up to 20 years in prison, serve five years and pay a $15,000 fine.
On Monday, grand jurors indicted him on eight new felonies, including two counts of rape. The new allegations involve a different victim.
In the initial case, the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office began investigating in November 2011, when deputies responded to a sexual assault complaint.
At trial, the victim told jurors that she was home alone the morning of Nov. 21, 2011, when Shifflett knocked on her door. She testified she let him in and he began to grope her. After about 10 to 15 seconds, she said, she was able to free herself.
Shifflett had previous felony convictions for perjury and eluding police.
The new indictment involves crimes Shifflett allegedly committed from 2005 through 2011.
He is scheduled to appear in circuit court for a hearing on pretrial motions on Feb. 19.
Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6278 or pdelea@dnronline.com