Hillsborough Youth Ministry Worker Violated Court Order

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Hillsborough man was found guilty of violating an order prohibiting him from serving in a youth service organization, according to a release from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. Shawn Butler, 53, was found guilty on May 21.

According to the release, Butler participated in a youth ministry at a religious center in Franklin as a youth counselor, youth mentor and youth chaperone. A past sexual assault-related conviction barred him from working in such an organization.

The children he was dealing with were between the ages of 12 and 17.

Butler's conviction was on one count of third-degree prohibited participation in a youth serving organization, a violation of New Jersey state law. He faces up to five years in prison.

Butler, in his duties at the organization, supervised and mentored the children at many youth ministry events like overnight camps, concerts, outings and groups, the release says.

He is set to be sentenced on July 19.

Anybody with information on Butler is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Sex Crimes/Child Abuse Unit at 908-231-7100 or via the STOPit app, which allows for anonymous reports including videos and photos.

Citizens can also provide information confidentially through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 888-577-TIPS (8477).