Former school volunteer convicted of child molesting

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A former volunteer at Lafayette Jefferson High School was convicted of multiple counts of child molesting Thursday evening.

A Tippecanoe County jury found Michael McShurley, 50, guilty on three counts of child molesting. McShurley had been out on bond but was taken into custody after the verdict was announced.

He didn't say a word to the News 18 camera as he was led away from the courtroom in handcuffs.

Jury members deliberated on four counts of child molesting for more than five hours Thursday afternoon. They found him not guilty on one of the counts.

McShurley faces up to 24 years in prison.

McShurley appeared on a News 18 noon news program in April 2010, asking for help with an effort he was making to help send Lafayette Jeff seniors with special needs to prom. He was also a member of  the group "Broncho Dads," a group that volunteers to mentor kids during their free time.

The investigation began in June 2011 when a 12-year-old girl came forward saying McShurley had fondled her on multiple occasions over the previous two years. McShurley was charged in September 2011.

After the verdict, McShurley's defense attorney, Carl Sandy, deputy prosecuting attorney Kevin McDaniel, as well as family members of both McShurley and the victim declined to make any comment to News 18.

McShurley's sentencing has been set for Jan. 18, 2013, at 10:30 a.m.