
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, July 24, 1993                   TAG: 9307270279
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

MOLESTER FACES CHARGES IN THREATS SENT TO JUDGE

A man serving a 24-year sentence for molesting two young Pulaski County boys was indicted Friday on charges of mailing threatening letters to the judge who presided at his trial.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Roanoke, says Frank Van Shaddle apparently apparently believed he was wrongfully convicted and sent Pulaski County Circuit Judge A. Dow Owens a series of letters demanding money and demanding to be freed immediately.

In the letters, mailed between February and April, Shaddle threatened to kill Owens and members of his family, the indictment says.

The indictment says Shaddle also threatened to "ruin Judge Owens' reputation" by revealing that Owens and others were involved in a conspiracy to convict him wrongfully.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bondurant said Shaddle mailed about 10 threatening letters to the judge but is indicted on charges involving five separate letters. According to the indictment, Shaddle demanded various amounts of money from $50,000 to $300,000. Shaddle was convicted in 1984 on charges of sexually molesting two boys, ages 6 and 9. He contended he was falsely accused. He is in the state prison near Staunton, federal authorities said.

by CNB