A federal jury convicted a Clovis woman of conspiring to take her then-teen son and forcing him to attend a boarding school in Missouri.

The jury convicted Shana Gaviola, 38, on Tuesday of interstate violation of a protection order and aiding and abetting after a five-day trial at the downtown Fresno courthouse. Judge John C. Coughenour, a visiting judge from Washington, presided.

Prosecutors said Gaviola and Julio Sandoval, dean of the Agape Boarding School in Stockton, Missouri, conspired to take Gaviola’s son, Blake McGee, to the school against his will. Individuals on Gaviola’s behalf took McGee and kept him in handcuffs for more than 24 hours while in transit.

At the time of the crime in 2021, McGee — then 16 years old — had a domestic violence protective order against his mother. He had also filed a petition requesting emancipation. His father retrieved him from the school shortly afterward.

Sandoval, charged on the same count, was found not guilty.

“No parent — indeed, no person whatsoever — has the right to subject a child to kidnapping and terror for that reason or any other reason. This office will continue to vigorously prosecute anyone who violates the basic rights and safety of minors in our district, especially in violation of lawful court orders,” U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said in a statement.

Despite using the term “kidnapping,” neither defendant was charged with that specific crime.

Gaviola is scheduled for sentencing April 27, 2026. She faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Neither she nor her attorney had an immediate reaction.

Controversy Over Prosecutors

The case took a twist in October when all judges from the Eastern District of California were recused.

Gaviola accused the original prosecutor, Michael Tierney, of flirting with her after a chance encounter at a bar in 2023. Her attorneys attempted to use the incident to dismiss the case.

A judge in the Eastern District said Tierney’s actions did not amount to violating Gaviola’s rights, but the case was taken out of the hands of local judges.

Coughenour was eventually assigned as judge, and prosecutors from the Sacramento office replaced Fresno-based prosecutors who removed themselves from the case.

Tierney was also under consideration to become a magistrate judge — a position with many of the same powers as a Senate-confirmed federal judge. However, that decision, made by district judges, has apparently stalled. Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley did not return messages.

Gaviola’s attorneys also tried to have the case dismissed, alleging Grant was illegally appointed — similar to the high-profile case involving former FBI Director James Comey.

“That decision has no import to this case,” Coughenour wrote, denying the motion. He ruled Gaviola’s case began under the previous U.S. attorney for the district, Phillip Talbert, who was legally appointed.