A 49-year-old mother from Los Gatos, Shannon O’Connor, pleaded not guilty in court on Monday, following a grand jury indictment that resulted in over 60 charges against her. The indictment included 20 felonies and 43 misdemeanors, accusing O’Connor of providing alcohol to minors and encouraging them to engage in sexual activities. Prosecutors stated that children as young as 14 years old were given alcohol to the point of vomiting, and some were sexually assaulted or left unconscious due to alcohol intoxication. O’Connor, dressed in a green jail uniform, quietly entered the courtroom and took a seat in the front row.
The alleged incidents occurred over an 11-month period in 2020, and the case faced multiple delays, during which additional charges were filed against O’Connor. These new charges include felony sexual assault, felony dissuading a witness, and additional child endangerment. Despite the possibility of a plea deal that would have led to a 17-year sentence, O’Connor’s attorneys decided to proceed to trial.
Seventeen victims testified before the grand jury, sharing how the events had devastated their lives, ultimately leading to the recent indictment. The district attorney’s office’s use of a grand jury indictment instead of a preliminary hearing may present challenges for the defense. Legal analyst Steven Clark noted that the defense team missed the opportunity to cross-examine the victims and other witnesses during the preliminary hearing, relying solely on the grand jury transcript to prepare for trial.
Currently, O’Connor is being held at the Elmwood Women’s Complex in Milpitas. She is expected to return to court on December 20 to confirm her counsel, and a potential trial date will be set.
