Prosecutor Explains Plea Deal for Sex Offender
By: Jon Swaner
Updated: June 27, 2012
Vigo County's prosecutor explains why a man who was originally charged an "A" felony took a deal that some of you feel was too easy.
Terry Modesitt said at a news conference earlier today that no one detests child molesters more than him.
Terre Haute Police arrested Bradley Locke in march of 2010 after a 4-year-old girl told a relative he molested her.
Modesitt says as he prepared for trial, the victim became unable to recall what happened.
The case had no physical or forensic evidence, and Modesitt says the chances of winning a trial were slim at that point.
Still, the plea deal has some good points.
"At least we were able to negotiate a plea where he's not allowed to have any contact with the victim, and he's going to have to register as a sex offender so that the whole world is on notice he's a sex offender. And he's got a felony conviction. So if anything like this happens again, that will allow us to enhance a more severe penalty later on."
Modesitt adds that the victim's family asked for a plea deal.
They said a trial would hurt the girl down the road.
Terry Modesitt said at a news conference earlier today that no one detests child molesters more than him.
Terre Haute Police arrested Bradley Locke in march of 2010 after a 4-year-old girl told a relative he molested her.
Modesitt says as he prepared for trial, the victim became unable to recall what happened.
The case had no physical or forensic evidence, and Modesitt says the chances of winning a trial were slim at that point.
Still, the plea deal has some good points.
"At least we were able to negotiate a plea where he's not allowed to have any contact with the victim, and he's going to have to register as a sex offender so that the whole world is on notice he's a sex offender. And he's got a felony conviction. So if anything like this happens again, that will allow us to enhance a more severe penalty later on."
Modesitt adds that the victim's family asked for a plea deal.
They said a trial would hurt the girl down the road.
