A California mother was sentenced Thursday to more than three decades in prison for holding alcohol-fueled, sexualized parties for teens.
Shannon O’Connor, also known as Shannon Bruga, was sentenced to serve a maximum sentence of 35 years and 10 months in state prison.
The Los Gatos woman was convicted in March on dozens of charges tied to parties involving underage drinking and sexual misconduct among teens. Prosecutors said she facilitated nonconsensual sexual activity between some of the minors.
“For the first time in a long time for these brave, strong and resilient children and their families, there is some justice,” Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said.
O’Connor, 52, has been in jail, so her credits add up to about nine and a half years, according to the district attorney’s office. That leaves the remainder of her sentence at about 27 years. With good behavior in prison, it could be less than that, but her attorney said this is effectively a life sentence for her.
While O’Connor cried during some of the victim impact statements and during her own statement in court, she remained stoic when her sentencing came down.
Her attorney, Stephen Prekoski, said they will appeal.
“She never had a meaningful opportunity to settle this case,” Prekoski said. “I’m not persuaded by those that believe that she was not remorseful. I’m not persuaded by those that believe that she didn’t take accountability for her actions.”
Many of the victims and their parents were in the courtroom for the sentencing hearing. They demanded the maximum sentencing. When it came down, some were shocked it actually happened but nonetheless very satisfied.
Victims and parents spoke outside court following the sentencing, including Kate Gude, the mother who spearheaded the police investigation.
“This shows that when you come together, you put these bad people away and the kids have a shot,” she said. “You got to speak up and speak out. It’s the only way to keep everybody safe, happy and whole.”
Parents said the parties were not the main problem. It was the years of grooming, manipulation and harassment of their children, some as young as 11 and 12, by O’Connor, who still denies allegations that she orchestrated sexual misconduct between the minors.
O’Connor did speak during the sentencing hearing Thursday.
“I wanted to take the time to address the court and all of the families involved, including mine,” she said. “For the past five years, I’ve had the chance and time to reflect on this case and what went wrong. I’m not here to make excuses for my actions. I’m fully aware about how you all feel about me. I know that you all entrusted me and I let you all down. Because of my actions or lack thereof I have been absent from my own children, missing major milestone and time that I can never get back. They as well as your sons and daughters have suffered. They have lived these past five years parentless.”
