Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 10, 2025
Life sentence in store for child rapist
Shawn Powell, 33, appeared in front of Judge Gerald Anderson in the Muskingum County Courthouse Monday afternoon to plead guilty to raping and photographing a child under the age of ten.
The case came to law enforcement attention on November 10, 2024, when a family member of the victim physically assaulted Powell. In the course of investigating the assault, Patrolman Kinas of the Zanesville Police Department uncovered the allegations that Powell had abused the young child.
The case was promptly and professionally investigated, and the child made safe from Powell.
In the follow-up investigation, Det. Chris Andrews with the Zanesville Police Department was able to recover images taken by Powell of the child in a state of undress, as well as messages which incriminated him for his crime.
Although the case was made more difficult by the young age of the victim, Assistant Prosecutor Amy Otto prosecuted the case to a very successful outcome.
Powell pled guilty to one count of rape of a child under the age of ten, which carries a life sentence. He also pled guilty to one count of pandering obscenity involving a minor, a felony of the second degree.
The case was set for a pre-sentence investigation, to more fully inform Judge Anderson of the facts and circumstances of the case.
The life sentence means that Powell is not eligible for “good time,” or judicial release, and will serve a life sentence unless the Ohio Parole Board determines that he should be released. The first time that the Ohio Parole Board can consider that release will be after a set number of years decided by the Judge. The State has recommended that Powell not be considered for parole for at least 18 years.
The Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office is diligent in litigating all parole applications made by those with life-terms of imprisonment so that the public may be kept safe from the worst-of-the-worst offenders who earn life sentences and who do not belong on the streets.
Assistant Prosecutor Otto says that this result was not an easy one.
“These cases are difficult for everyone involved. This is especially true when the victim is so young and vulnerable,” according to Otto. “Her parents thought she would be safe with Powell, and he betrayed that trust. I'm very pleased with this outcome because I do believe that Mr. Powell presents a danger to other children and to the community in general.”
Should Powell ever be released, he will be a lifetime sex offender registrant.
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