White Teen Who Called Black Boy ‘George Floyd’ While Attempting To Drown Him, Avoids Jail Time 

John Sheeran, who pleaded guilty to attempting to drown a Black boy in Cape Cod, slid over jail time during his sentencing hearing on Feb. 5, the New York Post reports. 

Sheeran, 15, was sentenced to probation and approximately 700 hours of community service after being hit with attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon charges in December 2024. In addition, he will be required to attend educational classes online and write an apology letter to the victim. 

The story made headlines in July 2023 when Sheeran, who is white, and another teen were accused of throwing rocks at the victim before the three minors went to the pond. Wearing a lifejacket because he didn’t know how to swim, the victim was forced underwater by Sheeran. At the same time, being subjected to being called the n-word and referred to as “George Floyd,” the Minneapolis Black man who was killed in May 2022 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes screaming, “I can’t breathe.” 

Barnstable District Court Judge Sylvia Gomes ruled that if Sheeran reoffends before Feb. 4, 2028, he will face jail time, claiming his sentencing was fair. “I cannot undo what happened, but hopefully, this resolution will bring the community closure and comfort,” Gomes said. 

But his lawyer, Kevin Reddington, thinks even probation and community hours are heavy, stating the Black boy isn’t a victim and insists the case is riddled with the “race card.” While singling out Cape Cod District Attorney Robert Galibois, Reddington stood firm on the classic case of “boys will be boys” and that the boys were fighting. “I question the justice system in this case significantly, but I’m very pleased with the probation,” the attorney said.

The light sentencing took back advocates for cases deemed racially motivated. Tara Vargas Wallace, founder of Amplify POC Cape Cod, was present in the courtroom during the hearing and believes Sheeran got off easy. “This perpetrator is getting off easy because of his white skin and privilege,” Vargas Wallace said, according to the Cape Cod Times. 

“He gets to go home. Meanwhile, the victim in this case is scarred for life.”

While Assistant District Attorney Eileen Moriarty and Reddington reviewed 15 recommendation letters on Sheeran’s behalf, Martin Luther King Action Committee member Karen Boujoukos said more should be done to support the survivor. “It’s like the pebble in the pond. Even though just one child experienced that hate, it affects so many more of us. There is a whole community of people who are supporting that survivor,” Boujoukos said. 

“I believe in redemption. I hope the young man has learned, and has grown and continues to do so. My hope is that he shows genuine learning as to why what happened is completely unacceptable.”

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