A former Jefferson resident was recently sentenced from a series of incidents involving sexual abuse of minors.

According to court documents, 39-year-old Shanda Ellingson was found guilty by trial of the minutes for a Class C Felony for third degree sexual abuse, a Class D Felony for possession with intent to deliver 50 kilograms or less of marijuana and an aggravated misdemeanor for child endangerment. District Court Judge Adria Kester sentenced Ellingson to 17 years in prison and will be on the sex offender’s registry for the rest of her life. 

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Jefferson Police Department that began this past June. Shanda’s husband Benjamin forced two minor girls to perform sex acts and also forced them to do marijuana with them. Shanda knew about the sexual incidents and did nothing to stop them. This past July, Benjamin was sentenced to 55 years in prison. 

Court documents show that Shanda was also ordered to pay over $1,500 in fines, surcharges, court costs, court-appointed attorney fees and victim restitution. There is also a no contact order of the victims for five years.