A Mooresville man who was found guilty of child molesting during a May bench trial in Starke Circuit Court was sentenced yesterday. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall sentenced Jeffery Shidler, 54, to four years in prison, with a year suspended to be served on home detention through Morgan County Community Corrections if they accept Shidler into their program and another year on probation through Morgan County. Shidler must also register as a sex offender and complete a treatment program. He can only have contact with children who are relatives in the presence of other adults.
Judge Hall noted this is Shidler’s first criminal conviction as an adult and pointed out he does not have a significant record of wrongdoing. He added the impact on the victim in such cases is serious and must also be considered when it comes to sentencing. The child was 9 at the time.
Shidler’s family was in court for his sentencing. They’ve already retained Knox attorney Timothy Lemon to file an appeal on his behalf.
