WTF?? 7 felony child molestation charges and probation??

[Treasure Chest]

This makes me sick.

TX church mentor gets probation on 7 felony child indecency charges

Posted: Jul 26, 2012 5:00 PM CDT
Updated: Jul 26, 2012 5:00 PM CDT



MIDLAND, Texas (AP) - A mentor at a West Texas church who pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of three brothers has been sentenced to probation.

Harold Carden Thompson Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday in Midland to seven felony counts of indecency with a child by contact and two counts of indecent exposure to a child.

The Midland Reporter-Telegram reports the 57-year-old Thompson received eight years of deferred adjudication probation.

Prosecutor Steve Stallings says the facts warranted probation and a guardian of the boys, ages 10 to 13, agreed. Thompson had no previous criminal record.

Thompson, who was accused of exposing himself and improperly touching the boys, must also do 500 hours of community service. He was fined $1,800 over the incidents earlier this year.

The name of the church hasn't been made public.

http://www.kltv.com/story/19125044/tx-church-mentor-gets-probation-on-7-felony-child-indecency-charges

[stevo]

57-year-old Thompson received eight years of deferred adjudication probation.

Infuckingsane.

Stevo

[Snatch Napkin]

Deferred and $1800 in fees (including restitution).

That won't even cover the cost of probation, much less court costs.

What happened to paying into the victims fund?
Where is the punishment here?

[Treasure Chest]

Infuckingsane.

Stevo

Correct me if I'm wrong, deferred adjudication means that the conviction goes off the record after the terms of probation are met and only the arrest record remains?

I'm assuming without a formal conviction, he doesn't have to register as a sex offender?

[DON SVO]

Yes, probably meaning the DA wasn't sure he could get a clean conviction and the defense atty wasn't sure he could sway the jury. They met in the middle. Shitty deal.

[David]

You can get probation for murder...

[Snatch Napkin]

I'm not sure if it's the paranoia setting in or if that old, dusty tin foil hat is missing my beautiful head of hair, but I feel like someone higher up the food chain is behind this ridiculous leniency.

[Treasure Chest]

Yes, probably meaning the DA wasn't sure he could get a clean conviction and the defense atty wasn't sure he could sway the jury. They met in the middle. Shitty deal.

Geez...and he'll still be able to work with children after it's all said and done.

[David]

Deferred doesn't mean all this goes away and he's a normal person.

[46Tbird]

Prosecutor Steve Stallings says the facts warranted probation and a guardian of the boys, ages 10 to 13, agreed. Thompson had no previous criminal record.

There has to be more to this story.

[CJ]

Just FYI You can get deferred adjudication on murder 1.

[Snatch Napkin]

Just FYI You can get deferred adjudication on murder 1.

I understand that, however, that is the middle ground between hard to prove self defense, possible accident, and non-premeditated murder.

Obviously I don't know the specifics, but my core tells me that anything related to inappropriate activities with a child should always include registering as a sex offender and paying into the sexually abused victims fund.

[CJ]

I understand that, however, that is the middle ground between hard to prove self defense, possible accident, and non-premeditated murder.

Obviously I don't know the specifics, but my core tells me that anything related to inappropriate activities with a child should always include registering as a sex offender and paying into the sexually abused victims fund.

I'm not casting judgement on the case in any way, I'm just saying the judicial statutes allow DA on any charge including murder 1.

[46Tbird]

Obviously I don't know the specifics, but my core tells me that anything related to inappropriate activities with a child should always include registering as a sex offender and paying into the sexually abused victims fund.

Conviction, yes. Allegation, no.

Plea bargain? My gut says yes, but I have seen too many people cornered by an overly aggressive law enforcement and judicial system to commit to it.

[David]

I understand that, however, that is the middle ground between hard to prove self defense, possible accident, and non-premeditated murder.

Obviously I don't know the specifics, but my core tells me that anything related to inappropriate activities with a child should always include registering as a sex offender and paying into the sexually abused victims fund.

Being on deferred is the exact same thing as if they were on community supervision. They'll have to register. Y'all are getting mad at something that happens every single day.