Jamestown Man Charged With Failing To Register As A Sex Offender

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shawn Edward Hastings, 50, of Jamestown, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with failing to register as a sex offender. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant was convicted in April 1997 in Cattaraugus County Court, NY, of Sodomy in the 2nd Degree. As a result, Hastings is required to register as a sex offender for life, which includes updating his registration to reflect any out-of-state change in address within 10 days.

As of January 4, 2018, the defendant registered an address in Warner Robins, GA, but later that year, and without notifying authorities, he obtained an apartment on Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown. In 2019, he began receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Public Assistance funds through New York State. On March 11, 2020, the United States Marshal Service received information that Hastings fled Georgia and was residing in Jamestown, NY. On March 4, 2020, defendant was evicted from his Jamestown apartment for non-payment of rent.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the United States Marshal Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.