Former Riverton Youth Pastor Found Not Guilty Of Molesting Child

A former Riverton, Wyoming, youth pastor who was accused of fondling a young girl last December was found not guilty this week after a jury trial in Florida.

Richard Shaw, 70, was charged in January with lewd molestation on claims that he touched a girl under the age of 12 twice on her private areas — once over her clothing and once under her clothing, while visiting Lakeland, Florida around Christmas 2023.

His trial started Monday with jury selection, and the jury returned a not-guilty verdict Tuesday.

The affidavit filed in the Polk County Clerk of Court’s Office on Jan. 4 says the girl described the acts to her mother after Shaw returned home to Wyoming on Dec. 29, 2023.

The mother reported the girl’s statements to Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigators, who arranged a forensic interview with the girl and a recorded phone call between the girl’s mother and Shaw.

When Polk County authorities determined they had probable cause to bring the charge, they sent a warrant to the Riverton Police Department in Wyoming.

Shaw worked as a youth pastor at Under Command Ministries in Riverton, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced in a statement in early January.

“We are working with Wyoming law enforcement to determine if this suspect victimized any other children there — we sincerely hope not.” Grady Judd, Polk County sheriff, said in the statement.  

Polk County detectives interviewed Shaw, who told them that he’s addicted to pornography and that when he touched the girl, he “gave in to temptation,” the statement alleged.

Riverton Police Department officers arrested Shaw on Jan. 4, according to RPD records.

The statement said Fremont County authorities also were investigating Shaw’s activities in his home county.

RPD Chief Eric Hurtado did not immediately respond to a voicemail request for comment on the result of those investigations.

Shaw’s attorney Bryanna G. Bynum did not immediately respond to a Thursday phone message request for comment.

The cellphone number listed on Shaw’s court records is no longer connected.

Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.