John Shaw
Independent Candidate - Florida House Of Representatives
Criminal History
Note: I am not ashamed, or embarrased, to release this information to the public, but please understand that my past is not my present. Please do your best to keep an open mind while reading this page.
Whereas most politicians seem to turn out to be criminals, it's highly unusual that criminals turn out to be politicians.
This is undoubtedly going to be the edgiest topic of discussion during my campaign, and rightfully so, to an extent. The people I would like to represent have an absolute right to know who I am, what I have done, and what I am currently doing. I will gladly and openly speak about anything related to this issue, however, I will not accept being ridiculed for actions I committed during such a difficult time of my life. I strongly urge you to keep an open mind, and recognize the changes and progressions I have made in the last five years.
During the Fall of 2003, just after turning 18 years old, I became extremely depressed and lost touch with reality. I started using heavy over-the-counter (legal) drugs to maintain a permanent dissociated high, where I lost all sense of emotion and logic. Eventually, I found myself breaking into cars and breaking into houses, where I even stole handguns. Though the actual timespan of the crimes I committed was two months (September to November), the outcome would certainly bring about what seems an eternity of retribution.
On December 1st, 2003, I was arrested and booked into the Leon County Jail for criminal mischief. I was released the next day on an ROR, or, Release On Recognizance. I went to school the next day as usual, though quite shaken up. I was still in highschool when this happened. After an investigation, I was then arrested and interrogated on the 3rd, where I openly admitted and confessed to everything I had done. I was booked again, and my bond was set at $250,000.
I was primarily charged with numerous counts of burglary, grand theft, and grand theft firearm. Because of the fact that I stole guns from a dwelling, the State decided to charge me with Burglary of a Dwelling While Armed, even though I did not enter the property while armed. In total, I was charged with 17 felonies and 2 misdemeanors.
I had no prior arrests, and for that matter, I had never even had a detention in school, nor been in a fist fight. I maintained above a 3.0gpa in highschool, was elected 2003 Thespian of the Year for my participation as the Light/Sound coordinator for all of Leon High School's plays, and was the DJ for most of the pep rallies.
Along with my intentions of never wanting to physically harm anyone, the crimes I committed were non-violent.
In a plea agreement, I pled no contest to 17 of the 19 charges, and my adjudication was withheld. I am not a convicted felon.
I was sentenced to 1 year in the Department of Corrections, along with 10 years probation. I was sent to the Wakulla County Jail, where I was placed in the Workcamp/Bed Rest program. Eventually, the Captains and Majors at the Sheriff's office learned of my computer skills, and took me off the cleanup crew, and put me side by side with the technical coordinator of the jail there, where I helped to fix computer issues, as well as some janitorial work, such as taking out the Sheriff's trash. I served a total of four months in Wakulla County. I was released after 209 days of total incarceration, or, 7 months, on good behavior.
I have been on probation since February 11th, 2004, with an outstanding and clean record. I have been actively paying restitution to the State, which goes primarily to the victims. My probation is scheduled to be terminated in 2014, though it can be terminated in 2010 or sooner if restitution is paid in full.
After Incarceration
Within 2 weeks after being released, I was hired as a web designer by my previous employer to work a few hours a day, 5 days a week. Eventually, I started handing out some business cards around town for basic computer repair, and by 2006, my business had skyrocketted. I have now served hundreds of individuals in the Tallahassee area, as well as businesses and law firms. As of January 2008, I have established my business as John Shaw Computers, Inc.
How this will affect my campaign
I will most likely lose many votes due to my past, but my faith is placed in good peoples' sense of judgment. I ask everyone to please recognize who I am. My criminal past certainly and obviously has no reflection of my true self and character. A lot of people don't realize, too, that since I've actually had so much experience with the D.O.C., it means I've had experience with the legal system. I've actually been there. That's experience most politicians never have under their belt (though...it is likely that some of them deserve it!) As my campaign progresses, you will find that some of the issues I am desiring to tackle directly correlate with my stay as an inmate - to better help and rehabilitate those who are in the same unfortunate situation.
I encourage anyone with any questions to please contact me, so that I may answer them completely and honestly.
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