Asbury Park man sentenced to 40 years in prison for 2021 home invasion, sex assault
Police say Shawn Connolly broke into a home on Seventh Avenue in 2021, entered a couple’s bedroom, threatened them at knifepoint and then sexually assaulted one of them.
A man from Asbury Park will spend the next 40 years in prison for a violent home invasion that happened back in September 2021, Monmouth County prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Authorities say Shawn Connolly, 37, broke into a home on Seventh Avenue, entered a couple’s bedroom, threatened them at knifepoint and sexually assaulted the female victim.
During the robbery, which happened around 5:30 a.m., prosecutors say Connolly ordered the man to leave the room to retrieve cash; as he did so, the male victim also called 911 and left the line open.
Connolly was arrested at the scene. Proceeds from the robbery were found in his pockets and recovered, prosecutors say.
Connolly was indicted in November 2021 before the case proceeded to trial in September 2023. He was found guilty on charges of sexual assault, first-degree armed robbery, second-degree burglary, third-degree making terroristic threats and three related weapons offenses.
Authorities noted Connolly’s term is subject to New Jersey's No Early Release Act, which mandates that 85% be served prior to the possibility of parole. Connolly will also be required to register as a sex offender under Megan's Law and will be on parole supervision for life.
