Officers say sex offender used social networking sites to contact underage girls

Posted: May 25, 2011 5:46 PM by Danielle Lerner
Updated: May 25, 2011 10:50 PM

Paso Robles police are hoping the public can help find potential victims of a registered sex offender, arrested last month.

Police and State Parole agents arrested 25-year-old Shaun Harrison on April 6. He was taken into custody for violating terms of his parole. Officers took Harrison's computer and cell phone, and when they checked out the files inside they found he had sexually victimized three girls between the ages of 13 and 17.

Officers Wednesday released a photo of Harrison, along with a picture of his car, trying to find any more victims who could still be waiting to come forward.

"We're hoping that parents will discuss this with their daughters or children, and see if they've had any kind of contact," said Lt. Ty Lewis of the Paso Robles Police Department.

Officers say Harrison was using social networking sites to contact underage girls. He was on MySpace, Facebook, Zoosk and PlentyofFish, using names like Shaun Harrison, Shaun Robert, and the screen name "sk8erboy805."

"He was using those as opportunities to meet and to talk with them, and at this point we have at least three victims that we've identified that are going to be seeking charges against Mr. Harrison for his activity with those girls," Lewis said.

The Megan's Law website lists Harrison's address as the River Lodge Motel in Paso Robles. People staying there did not want to appear on camera, but they told KSBY News several registered sex offenders live there and they do their best to stay away from them. In fact, the website lists eight more offenders living at that motel.

"There could be other victims and there may not be, but we want to make sure the public is aware that we've looked into this," said Lewis.

Officers would not go into detail about Harrison's criminal past, but according to the Megan's Law website he was previously convicted of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14.

Anyone with information should contact the Paso Robles Police Department.