93.3 KWTO Keeping Watch Over the Ozarks
A woman from Ava will spend nearly three decades in prison for her role in the sexual exploitation of two young girls.
Investigators say 50-year-old Shawna Ross helped Robert Atherton and Harold Blair engage in sexual activity with the two minors that was recorded and used as child pornography.
Atherton was sentence in October of 2023 to 30 years in prison for his role, while Blair is awaiting his trial to begin on February 12.
Ross was initially charged with:
- Two counts of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation
- Two counts of statutory rape
- Two counts of statutory sodomy
She entered an Alford plea in the case, getting five of the six charges dropped and pleading guilty to one count of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation.
Ross was sentenced this week to 28 years in prison.
In entering an Alford plea, she is not admitting guilt, but recognizes the prosecution had enough evidence to convict in the case.