Convicted sex trafficker and former Denton youth pastor is set for early release

Denton Record ^ | January 6, 2023 | Brooke Colombo

[Morgana]

A former youth pastor of a Denton megachurch who was convicted of sex trafficking minors across state lines is set to be released early from federal prison next month and reside in Denton again.

Robert Shiflet was a youth pastor at Denton Bible Church who pleaded guilty in 2020 to two charges of transportation of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity in connection with incidents dating back to the 1990s. He had been indicted on three charges of transportation of a minor and one of coercion.

Shiflet was convicted in June 2021, and an Arkansas district court sentenced him to 33 months in federal prison, which was less than the suggested 41 to 51 months and below the statutory maximum of 10 years on the first count and 15 on the second.

A transcript of the sentencing states this was because of a sentencing range miscalculation. If Judge Lee Rudofsky had not accepted the plea deal, Shiflet could have withdrawn his guilty plea and gone to trial.

Rudofsky accepted the plea agreement because while Shiflet’s victims had agreed to testify, they were worried Shiflet would be acquitted if the case went to trial and be able to reenter society with no restrictions. The judge said he wanted to ensure they received justice, even if it was not what he believed to be an appropriate punishment.

At the June 2021 sentencing, Rudofsky said if he could have sent Shiflet to prison for longer, he would have. Shiflet is a danger to society, the judge said at the time.

[Morgana]

Sounds like this guy should not be let out

[.44 Special]

Sounds like the fix was in from the beginning.

[nuconvert]

They must have had weak evidence if they didn’t think a jury would find him guilty.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Sex trafficking must be dropping. Better get this clown back on the street, ASAP.

[mmichaels1970]

they were worried Shiflet would be acquitted if the case went to trial and be able to reenter society with no restrictions. The judge said he wanted to ensure they received justice, even if it was not what he believed to be an appropriate punishment.

Judge wanted to ensure that pesky little part of the constitution that ensured a trial screw things up here.

[mmichaels1970]

that ensured a trial DIDN'T screw things up here.

[PAR35]

They must have had weak evidence if they didn’t think a jury would find him guilty.

Waiting for 20 - 25 years can make for a weak case. And 40 year old (ok, one was only 36) victims don't make for good visuals on a statutory rape charge.

[bobbo666]

The PedoPres is probably looking for another supplier.

[Nifster]

He didn’t have to accept the deal. He could’ve demanded to go to trial. Judge didn’t ignore anything

[mmichaels1970]

He didn’t have to accept the deal. He could’ve demanded to go to trial. Judge didn’t ignore anything

The judge could have rejected the deal due to the sentencing miscalculation but didn’t because it would have lead to a trial. The article says as much. I have no problem with the perp deciding to plead. And no problem with the plea leading to prison. But the judge being scared to reject the plea when an error was found because it could have lead to a pesky trial is where I take issue. The judge shouldn’t be concerned with whether a defendant chooses to go to trial or not. That’s for the lawyers.