Name: Justin Shea Shelton
Conviction Date: 6/1/1999 No. 04-0359
Plea: Guilty
Charges: Indecent acts upon a child
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Listed In National Sex Offenders Registry? Yes
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Justin Shea Shelton
Convicted Sex Offender
U.S. Army Sergeant
4-Year-Old Child
Over a period of several months, the four-year-old stepdaughter of Appellant made ambiguous statements and
exhibited unusual behavior that raised concerns in Appellant’s wife about Appellant’s possible improper sexual activity with her daughter. On June 6, 1999, the child told her mother of specific sexual contact with Appellant Appellant’s wife
questioned Appellant about his interaction with his stepdaughter. Appellant denied any impropriety. But Appellant’s wife remained concerned, and she called their family pastor, Rev. Dennis, to discuss her suspicions that Appellant may have sexually abused his stepdaughter.
When Appellant arrived at the church office for his appointment, another pastor, Rev. Virgo, was waiting with Rev. Dennis. In a private conference, Appellant met with both pastors, but Rev. Dennis exclusively controlled the counseling
session. Rev. Virgo was present because it was the church custom to have another person present during this type of
counseling. Appellant’s contact with the two pastors began with one of them saying a brief prayer asking for God’s wisdom and guidance in counseling before the session began. Rev. Dennis testified that he then said to Appellant, “Your
wife told me something and I want to know if you did it because it’s serious and you can go to jail for it . . . .” Rev. Dennis also told Appellant, “You claim to be a Christian, Christians don’t tell lies, so I need to know.” Appellant claims that Rev. Dennis told him to tell the truth because God would judge him for lying but would have mercy on him if he told the truth.
Despite these different versions of what Rev. Dennis said, there is no disagreement that Appellant confessed to sexual abuse. But the record does not reveal the specifics of Appellant’s admission of child sexual abuse. Rev. Dennis recalled Appellant lamenting, “I believe it’s too late. I don’t think God can help me any longer.” Rev. Dennis consoled Appellant by assuring him, “God can help you with this.” After Appellant regained his composure, Rev. Dennis asked Appellant to get his wife and bring her to join them. Rev. Dennis assured him that there was still hope to work through this crisis but that Appellant needed to start by telling the truth. Appellant went to his house and immediately drove his wife to the church office. There Appellant and his wife joined Rev. Dennis and Rev. Virgo. Appellant claimed that he sat silently while Rev. Dennis told Appellant’s wife that Appellant had done as she suspected. But Rev. Dennis did not say expressly that Appellant had molested his stepdaughter or give any details. Rev. Dennis testified that Appellant told his wife, “I did it. I did it.I’m wrong. I did it.”
Appellant made a sworn statement admitting his misconduct with his stepdaughter.5 The following day, Appellant went to Social Work Services to meet with Ms. Doyle for an appointment. Appellant talked about his actions in general terms with Ms. Doyle. She then set up an appointment for him with Mr. Michael Comte, a psychotherapist. Appellant discussed with Mr. Comte the details of his misconduct and fantasies. By the time the appointment was set up with the psychotherapist, Appellant wanted to meet with Mr. Comte to get assistance for himself.
At court martial, he plead guilty. Later, he appealed based on his content that the conversation with clergy was not admissable evidence. His appeal was denied.
Shelton is on the Memphis, Teneessee sex offenders registry, living only two blocks from Sea Isle Elementary School.
