Plea in Pitman NJ sex assault
Friday, November 21, 2014
WOODBURY NJ (November 20, 2014)Shawne A. Grant (DOB 4/28/71), of Pitman, pleaded guilty today (11/20) to second-degree sexual assault and absconding from parole in connection with a 7/28/13 incident involving a boy under age 13 in Pitman.
In a negotiated plea, Assistant Gloucester County Prosecutor Margaret Cipparrone will recommend that Grant be sentenced to six years in New Jersey state prison on the sexual assault and a concurrent four year term for the parole violation. The six-year sentence will require that Grant serve 85 percent of the prison term before becoming eligible for parole.
In acknowledging guilt, Grant said he went into hiding from parole officials in West Deptford on 7/30/13. Grant was on parole from a prior sex offense in 2000 for which he served prison time and became a registered sex offender under Megan’s Law.
In the 7/28/13 incident, Grant acknowledged that he improperly touched the victim.
Questioned by Superior Court Judge Kevin T. Smith prior to his plea, Grant said he had undergone drug counseling two years ago and was in treatment for mental health issues from 2000 to 2012.
In accepting Grant’s plea, Judge Smith explained the requirements of Megan’s Law, including registering one’s residence and vehicle, restrictions on Internet use and possible posting of the offender’s address online.
No sentencing date was set pending an evaluation of Grant by the state’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center, a facility for sex offenders in Avenel NJ. Grant has been jailed in default of bail since his arrest 8/1/13.
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