Los Gatos Woman Sentenced to 35 Years and 10 Months in Prison

A Los Gatos mother convicted of running alcohol-fueled sex parties involving teenagers has been sentenced to 35 years and 10 months in prison. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Peterson imposed the maximum punishment on Thursday after a three-day hearing.

Jurors found Shannon O’Connor, 51, guilty on 48 felony counts in March, along with additional misdemeanors tied to child endangerment and furnishing alcohol to minors. O’Connor orchestrated 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 filling teens with copious amounts of alcohol and watched as they engaged in lewd acts.

Before sentencing concluded, O’Connor addressed the court directly.

“My actions are the cause for your pain and I am ashamed," she said. " She added, "I am not sorry for myself, I am sorry for all of you and what I put you through. " The sentencing spanned three days, during which victims addressed the court in emotional statements detailing the impact of O’Connor’s actions. The court imposed a combined sentence of 35 years behind bars, 29 years and four months for the felony convictions and an additional six years for the misdemeanor charges. While sentenced to 35 years, she’ll serve 31 years, taking into account 1,000 days of time served on the misdemeanor counts. O’Connor has been held in Santa Clara County jail since October 2021, after she was arrested near Boise, Idaho.”