Stephen Shammo was 17 and in a relationship with a 15 year old. The two teens had a romantic and sexual relationship which was legal due to a close-in-age exception which allows a minor under 16 to consent to sex as long as the older partner is within 3 years of their age, but under the age of 18. However, Stephen turned 18 before his girlfriend reached the age of 16 which then made the sexual relationship illegal. 

After that relationship ended, Stephen met another girl who told him she was 18 and publicly made it appear she was 18 on social media such as Facebook, but she was actually 15. Stephen had no way of knowing this. Believing she was within the age of consent, Stephen entered into a romantic and sexual relationship with her.

Now, 2 years later, Stephen has been charged with  Felony 4 and Felony 5 offenses and sentenced to 6 months in jail as well as being registered as a Tier 2 Sex Offender for engaging in these relationships. This means he will have to register as a sex offender for the next 25 years.  Many states' close-in-age exceptions apply regardless of if one partner is 18, and typically apply to individuals within 3 to 4 years of age. Ohio is not one of those states, but unfortunately, that is where this took place.

Stephen has never been in trouble with the law prior to these events, not even a traffic ticket. He doesn't drink, do drugs, go to parties, or get into trouble. Until these events he worked a part-time job while attending college. He is a productive member of society trying to better himself. He's a good kid, he works hard, he gets good grades. He should not be a sex offender for having consensual sex. Being a sex offender may prevent Stephen from returning to school or getting government funding to do so. It can prevent him from getting jobs and from living in certain areas. 

Join with me in calling on Governor John Kasich and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine to remove Stephen from the sex offender registry and expunge his convictions.