Sex Offender Pleads Guilty To Failing To Update His Registration Status

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Shawn Peterkin, 39, formerly of South Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to failure to update his sex offender registration status. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany H. Lee, who is handling the case, stated that in 2011, the defendant was convicted of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child in the State of North Carolina and was required to register as a sex offender. In October 2014, the defendant relocated to South Carolina and registered as a sex offender.  However, in June 2015, Peterkin failed to update his registration. In November 2015, a warrant was issued for his arrest by South Carolina authorities. The United States Marshal’s Service found the defendant residing in Rochester, NY in February 2016. Peterkin admitted to being wanted in South Carolina for failure to register as a sex offender. He also admitted to not registering with any authorities in the State of New York.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of the United States Marshal’s Service, under the direction of Charles Salina.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 29, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.