News

31-year-old sent to prison on statutory rape charge

Mason Edgar Shields

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 17, 2026

A 31-year-old  Hendersonville man was sentenced to up to 24 years in prison after he pleaded guilty last week to charges of second-degree kidnapping and statutory rape of a child 15 years old or younger, District Attorney R. Andrew Murray announced on Monday.

According to the investigation and court trial records, the 15-year-old victim was a family friend and the defendant, Mason Edgar Shields, took advantage of that relationship to groom the child. 

Superior Court Judge Steve Warren, who presided over a term of Criminal Superior Court last week, sentenced Shields to a minimum term of 16 years and a maximum of 24 years in state prison. Shields must also register as a sex offender for 30 years and abide by special laws that apply to those who commit sex offenses, the district attorney said.

Assistant District Attorney Michael VanBuren handled the prosecution and sentencing in the case. Murray thanked the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, singling out lead Detective James Hurn and Detective Dakota Hendrix, for the professional and thorough investigation of the case. Murray also credited Safelight Child Advocacy Center for providing needed services to the victim.

“Cases involving children will always be a priority for my office, and those who violate children will be held accountable,” Murray said.