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Teen EMT Trainee's Rapes At Station Lands ‘Papa Doug’ 17 Year Sentence: Cumberland County DA

A Cumberland County EMS chief who used his leadership role to rape a 15-year-old trainee inside the ambulance station has been sentenced to up to 17 years in prison, the District Attorney’s Office announced on Tuesday, April 15.

"Papa Doug" Douglas Allen Shields, receiving the Pennsylvania State Fireman's Association EMS Leadership Award in Sept. 2019, and his mugshot in 2025. 

"Papa Doug" Douglas Allen Shields, receiving the Pennsylvania State Fireman's Association EMS Leadership Award in Sept. 2019, and his mugshot in 2025. 

Photo Credit: Cumberland County District Attorney's Office (overlay); Facebook/Yellow Breeches EMS, Inc.

Douglas Allen Shields, 55, of Mount Holly Springs, was sentenced to 6.5 to 17 years in state prison followed by three years of probation, and must register under Megan’s Law for life, according to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.

He was convicted after a four-day jury trial of:

  • Felony Statutory Sexual Assault.
  • Felony Aggravated Indecent Assault.
  • Felony Corruption of Minors.
  • Felony Sexual Assault by Volunteer or Nonprofit Employee.
  • Misdemeanor Indecent Assault.

He Was Known As 'Papa Doug' — And Repeatedly Raped A Teen At The Station

Shields, the former head of Yellow Breeches EMS, groomed the victim between March 2021 and May 2022, state police in Carlisle said. The girl was a junior EMT volunteer who frequently did ride-alongs and training shifts with the squad.

Shields touched her inappropriately, kissed her, put his hands down her pants, and ultimately had sexual intercourse with her between seven and ten times inside the station, according to the affidavit.

The teen showed Snapchat messages to police in which Shields begged her to keep the abuse secret.

"I have to worry about things getting out?"

"You’d murder me lol," she replied.

"I hope it would kill me. I worry about that," he responded.

"You can trust me, Papa Doug," she answered.

The victim also described a distinctive wooden clock at his house, which troopers later saw during an interview — further corroborating her account.

Other Women Came Forward — But Stayed Silent For Years

During sentencing, the victim gave a powerful impact statement, speaking about reclaiming her voice and making sure Shields couldn't hurt anyone else.

Trooper Jacob Fackler’s investigation uncovered multiple other victims dating back to the 1990s. Each woman shared a similar pattern: they were young, vulnerable, and Shields used his authority to make sexual advances they were too afraid to report.

The case was prosecuted by Senior ADA Lauren Perchinski and First ADA Courtney Hair LaRue, with support from Victim Advocate Jen Boyle.

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