Breaking: No jail time for Shawn Thrower, of Shawn’s Coffee Shop found guilty of battering teen employee


Breaking: No jail time for Shawn Thrower, of Shawn's Coffee Shop found guilty of battering teen employee

SYCAMORE – Shawn Thrower, owner of Shawn’s Coffee Shop who was found guilty of battering a 15-year-old female employee, was sentenced Friday by Judge Joseph Pedersen to 24 months court supervision, 120 hours for community restitution service, a $2,500 fine and no jail time.

Thrower, 61, testified in his own defense Oct. 15 in a bench trial at the DeKalb County Courthouse, where DeKalb County Circuit Court Judge Joseph Pedersen ruled Thrower was guilty.The victim and her mother, of Sycamore, who the Daily Chronicle will not be identifying because of the nature of the case involving a minor, both testified.

Thrower is the longtime owner of Shawn’s Coffee Shop and Princess Alex Ice Cream in Sycamore. He was found guilty of two counts of misdemeanor battery after police say he bit the girl on her neck, picked her up and smacked her buttocks during a shift at the cafe, according to DeKalb County court records Thrower faced up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500.

DeKalb County court records paint a picture of Thrower’s behavior beyond the February incident, which the 15-year-old girl told police made her uncomfortable. She also said she felt he was showing her favoritism. Court records from Sycamore police interviews with the victim allege Thrower would frequently pick up the girl while hugging her and text her, calling her “queen,” “baby” and “his girl.”

During one of her closing shifts, about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27, the teen popped out from behind a refrigerator to startle Thrower, records show, and “they laughed a little bit.” The teen told police Thrower then picked her up by the waist, pinned her against one of the mixer tables and started biting her neck while she tried to push him away.

When she wiggled away, Thrower grabbed her and smacked her across the buttocks multiple times, the teen told police.

Thrower left right after the incident. While she still was at work, the girl took photos of the bite marks on her neck, and when the teen’s shift was done, she went home and told her mother.

The next day, Thrower told police, “I grabbed somewhere I shouldn’t have,” records show.

Thrower’s charges and court proceedings have led to strong reactions from the public, including several protests held by local activists standing up for Thrower’s alleged victim. Others have expressed strong support of Thrower, patronizing his businesses during the protests and condemning those who spoke out against him.

This is a developing story which will be updated.




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