By D. E. Smoot
Associated Press
October 31, 2006 12:16 am
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By D.E. Smoot
Phoenix Staff Writer
A Porum man accused of molesting his 6-year-old niece pleaded guilty Monday in exchange for two 20-year suspended sentences.
The plea deal secured by Edward Benton Jr.’s lawyer clearly disappointed law enforcers and drew a stern admonition from the judge, who ultimately accepted the state’s sentence recommendation.
“I can tell by their (the lawyers’) demeanor there’s something they don’t like about this,” Associate District Judge Norman Thygesen said. “I don’t like it either.”
Thygesen warned Benton that any violation of his rules of probation will be dealt with swiftly and with certainty.
“We have a contract,” Thygesen said. “You are promising to live by these rules, and if you don’t — and they can prove you don’t — I will send you to prison.”
Muskogee County Sheriff’s Investigator Jan Ray said Benton, whose guilty pleas and admissions were barely audible, signed a sworn affidavit admitting the alleged acts.
“I don’t know how he can get away with this without serving any prison time,” Ray said.
Benton will, however, have to register as a sex offender and seek treatment in order to comply with the terms of his probation.
Reach D.E. Smoot at 684-2903 or dsmoot@muskogee phoenix.com.
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