A Los Gatos mother convicted of running alcohol-fueled sex parties involving teenagers has been sentenced to 35 years and 10 months in prison following a dramatic three-day hearing in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
Shannon O’Connor, 51, learned her fate on Thursday when Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Peterson imposed the maximum punishment.
The sentencing comes after jurors found her guilty on 48 felony counts in March, along with additional misdemeanors tied to child endangerment and furnishing alcohol to minors.
Before sentencing concluded, O’Connor addressed the court directly.
“My actions are the cause for your pain and I am ashamed,” she said. “And I face every day knowing that I was the cause.”
She added, “I am not sorry for myself, I am sorry for all of you and what I put you through. But as I look at you all today, I hope you can find some comfort knowing that I have been punished and will continue to be for years to come.”
O’Connor orchestrated illicit sex parties for a group of teens, including her son, at her Los Gatos home and in vacation rentals throughout the 2020-2021 school year.
Widespread sexual assaults took place under her supervision, where she was accused of filling teens with copious amounts of alcohol and watched as they engaged in lewd acts.
One of the alleged victims had told the court there was “no escape” from the boozy bashes, where teenage girls were treated like “sex objects.”
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The sentencing spanned three days, during which victims addressed the court in emotional statements detailing the impact of O’Connor’s actions.
O’Connor has been held in Santa Clara County jail since October 2021, after she was arrested near Boise, Idaho.
The court ultimately imposed a combined sentence of 35 years behind bars, 29 years and four months for the felony convictions and an additional six years for the misdemeanor charges.
While sentenced to 35 years, she’ll serve 31 years, taking into account 1,000 days of time served on the misdemeanor counts.
