A Polk County jury convicted Shannon Keith Hardee, 48 of Livingston, of two counts of second-degree felony sexual assault of a child and two counts of firstdegree felony aggravated sexual assault of a child in the 411th Judicial District Tuesday. After two days of testimony, the jury took less than an hour to convict Hardee on all counts.
Presiding Judge John E. Wells III sentenced Hardee to the maximum punishment of 20 years on each second-degree felony and a life sentence on each of the first-degree felonies. The punishment was stacked, which means that Hardee must serve all four sentences separately.
Evidence presented over two days showed that Hardee had a pattern of preying on single mothers with young children.
Polk County Assistant District Attorney Scott Ferguson prosecuted the case and was assisted by Polk County Assistant District Attorney Mackenzie Smith.
“I’d like to give special thanks to Victim Coordinator Megan Knighton and Senior Trial Associate Jodie Richey who did an exceptional job of coordinating and supporting the young witnesses over three days of trial. I’d also like to thank my investigators who worked tirelessly in preparation for the trial,” Polk County Criminal District Attorney Shelly Sitton said.
Sitton also thanked the Polk County Sheriff ’s Department, former Onalaska Police Chief Jessi Stanton and other state agencies who assisted in the case.
“I would also like to thank the citizens of Polk County who answered their summons for jury duty on July 29, 2024, particularly the members of the jury for their diligence in listening to the evidence, following the law and rendering a verdict. Justice was served,” Sitton said.
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