A former Lancaster city man was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after he pleaded guilty today to stabbing a man to death during a 2013 robbery.

Judge Merrill Spahn handed down the sentence to Shawn D. Jones, 55, after he pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to second-degree murder, burglary and robbery. Jones had been slated to go to trial on those charges in August before he submitted a guilty plea.

Jones stabbed 59-year-old Allan Wayne Hess to death at a residence in the 200 block of West Walnut Street in Lancaster city in January 2013.

In a recorded interview with police in 2025, Jones said he had entered the home intending to steal a television when he was unexpectedly confronted by Hess. During a subsequent physical struggle Jones stabbed Hess once in the chest, then bound him with his own shoelaces.

Hess died of the stab wound and asphyxiation and Jones left with the stolen television.

The case went unsolved for more than 12 years despite an exhaustive investigation. Police identified and ruled out numerous persons of interest and were ultimately left with no leads until DNA testing identified Jones in 2024.

First Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson, who prosecuted the case alongside Assistant District Attorney Emily Corcuera, commended the investigators who continued to work the case over the years, many of whom were present in the courtroom to witness the sentencing.

“They never gave up on this case,” Anderson told the court.

Once he was interviewed by police, Jones, who was already serving a state prison sentence for unrelated charges, quickly admitted to having stabbed Hess. Jones also provided details of the crime scene to police that had not previously been released to the public.

Speaking to the court before being sentenced, Jones said he committed “a terrible act” in taking a person’s life. An attorney representing Jones said he hoped to use his time in state prison to teach others not to follow his path. 

While decrying “senseless violence over material items,” Spahn said he believed Jones’ recorded confession to police was “a demonstration of sincere remorse” and added that he has a genuine opportunity to teach and help others in prison. 

As part of his sentence Jones must also pay more than $4,000 in restitution. Jones’ sentence is to run consecutive to the state prison sentence he is currently serving for unrelated offenses.

Lancaster City Bureau of Police Sgt. Shawn Gunnet filed the charges.