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California’s notorious “party mom” is facing up to 30 years in prison after being found guilty for hosting booze-fueled sex parties for high schoolers.
Following a three-month courtroom saga, 51-year-old Shannon O’Connor of Los Gatos was convicted Wednesday on 48 felony counts, including sexual battery, child endangerment and giving alcohol to minors
“We expect, as parents, that we protect children—protect our children, protect other people’s children,” Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen told reporters outside the courthouse Wednesday.
“This defendant took advantage of children, manipulated children, hurt children—emotionally, mentally, physically, and did that for her own perverse reasons.
“Every child who testified, the jury convicted the defendant of a charge involving that child.”
O’Connor, who maintained her innocence, was accused of orchestrating 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 plied teens with copious amounts of alcohol and watched as they engaged in lewd acts for her own disturbing amusement.
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.”
The girl, who testified at O’Connor’s trial under the name “Jane Doe 6,” recounted how the 50-year-old mom looked on as teens engaged in lewd sex acts inside her lavish $4 million San Jose mansion.
Most of O’Connor’s guests were 14-year-old freshmen from Los Gatos High School, where boys treated girls like “sex objects,” Doe 6 testified.
“I was assaulted, and my friends were assaulted multiple times,” she told the jury.
Her attorney Stephen Prekoski said his client was “crushed” and “very disappointed” by the verdict while speaking to reporters.
“I don’t think I can say it any better than that,” Preksoski added.
O’Connor is due back in court for final sentencing March 26.
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