MUNCIE, IN — A Delaware County man accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a child has entered a guilty plea in Delaware Circuit Court 3.
Amyl L. Shaner, now 46, in August 2024 was charged with four counts of child molesting and a single count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors. Three of the molesting counts are Level 1 felonies carrying up to 40 years in prison.
Shaner’s accuser, who was younger than 10 years old at the time, told investigators the rural Selma man had sexually abused him “over 100 times.”
When Shaner was questioned by a police investigator, he at first “denied all allegations,” according to an affidavit, but later acknowledged he had performed a sex act on the juvenile “one time.”
Shaner had been scheduled to stand trial on Monday, Aug. 3, but on July 20, he signed a plea agreement calling for him to plead guilty to one of the Level 1 felony charges.
If Delaware Circuit Court 3 Judge Doug Mawhorr accepts the terms of a plea agreement, the Delaware County man would receive a 30-year sentence — 20 years of incarceration followed by 10 years on probation.
Mawhorr scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 26.
Public defender Scott Mandarich has filed a motion asking that his client be examined by a local psychiatrist prior to being sentenced.
Court records reflect no prior convictions for Shaner.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Plea agreement reached in Delaware County molesting case
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
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By Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press | USA TODAY Network
