Cedar Rapids man sentenced to prison for child sex abuse after plea deal

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A Cedar Rapids man is sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a child after accepting a plea agreement.

James Shannon Sr., 54, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with three counts of Third Degree Sexual Abuse, a Class C Felony.

Shannon was accused of sexually abusing a child multiple times from 2005 to 2006 after the alleged victim came forward in 2022, court documents show.

The case.

DISCRETION IS ADVISED
This section includes graphic details involving sexual abuse of a child.

According to the criminal complaint filed in March 2022, a 30-year-old woman told family members, and a Cedar Rapids Police Officer, her stepfather James Shannon had sexually abused her, while living in the same home located in Cedar Rapids, from around Sep. 2005 to Aug. 2006.

The woman told police she was ‘repeatedly’ sexually abused by Shannon and was able to specifically detail three incidents.

When she was the age of 14, the woman claimed Shannon put his finger inside her while she was in her bedroom.

In another incident, at the age of 14, the woman claimed Shannon put a pillow over her eyes, put on a condom, and had sexual intercourse with her in her bedroom.

In a third incident, when she was the age of 15, the woman claimed Shannon put his finger inside her and kept it forced inside of her, and would not remove it, when they were in his gaming room at the home.

On March 14, 2022, a warrant was issued for Shannon’s arrest. On April 26, he pled Not Guilty and waived his right to a speedy trial, court records show.

On Sep. 4, 2025, Shannon agreed to an Alford plea deal for one count of Third Degree Sexual Abuse, meaning he pleads Guilty to the charge but maintains his innocence, court documents show.

An Alford plea, also known as a “best-interests plea,” registers a formal admission of guilt towards charges in criminal court while the defendant simultaneously expresses their innocence toward those same charges.

The other two counts were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

On Dec. 9, 2025, Shannon was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with credit for time served, court documents show.

What’s next?

Pursuant to Iowa law, Shannon is also sentenced to supervision for life following time served in prison, similar to parole or work release, court documents show.

Shannon will be lawfully required to register as a sex offender and comply with all of the requirements of the sex abuse registry, court documents show.

Furthermore, a five-year No Contact Order was issued against Shannon on behalf of the victim, court documents show.

Shannon has one month to show good cause to file an appeal to the sentencing.

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