Registered Sex Offender Sentenced in Fort Lee Child Sex Assault

Newark, NJ -- A registered sex offender from Mercer County has been sentenced to 21 years, three months in prison for transporting an underage boy from New York to Fort Lee to engage in sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Jayme Shannon, 53 of East Windsor, previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with interstate transportation of a minor for illicit purposes and doing so while being a registered sex offender.

Shannon began communicating with a 15-year-old boy in the internet chat room “Chatavenue.com,” in September and October of 2013, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.

On Oct. 14, 2013, he set up a meeting with the boy that was to take place at the Skyview Motel in Fort Lee. He picked the boy up in New York, and took him to the motel, where they engaged in sexual activity.

Later that day, Fort Lee Police found him with the boy inside a motel room, and arrested Shannon.

Shannon is a former New York City Police officer who was convicted of similar federal charges in 2003, northjersey.com reports. In imposing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas said Shannon wasted an opportunity to seek help after his first conviction.

In the first case, he intended to meet a 14-year-old boy who was actually an undercover agent, according to the report. He was sentenced two years, nine months in prison.