Attorney General's News Release

January 23, 2007

Judge keeps McDonald County man committed as sexually violent predator after plea from Nixon

Jefferson City, Mo. — A McDonald County judge has ruled that Jamin Shafer of McDonald County, previously found to be a sexually violent predator (SVP), must remain committed at the state treatment center in Farmington. Attorney General Jay Nixon opposed Shafer's release from confinement, and Associate Circuit Judge John R. Lepage ruled in Nixon's favor.

Nixon's office originally sought to have Shafer (DOB - 3/16/70) committed as an SVP due to his 1995 McDonald County conviction of one count of rape and one count of armed criminal action. Shafer threatened the victim, a 17-year old woman, with a knife before raping her and cutting her face. He was sentenced to five years in prison on the rape and three on the armed criminal action. A petition for civil commitment was filed May 17, 1999, and Shafer was committed by a jury as an SVP on April 16, 2004.

“My office will continue to aggressively pursue the indefinite commitment of those who still pose a danger to society,” Nixon said. “While they are committed, these offenders can get the treatment they need.”

Those committed by the court as sexually violent predators have the right to have their cases reviewed to determine if their mental abnormality has so changed that they are not likely to commit acts of sexual violence if released.

Currently, there are 79 sexually violent predators held in civil commitment in Missouri. Sexually violent predator commitments are handled by the Public Safety Division in Nixon's office. Missouri's sexually violent predator law took effect in January 1999.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

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