By SYDNEY KENT
A man from Bluffton will spend the next 16 years of his life in prison after he molested a child entrusted in his care.
Carter Talmidge Arnold, 66, was sentenced to a combined 16 years in prison under two charges for child molesting. He is also ordered to pay court costs and fees associated with his charges.
The sentence was issued after Arnold pleaded guilty to child molesting, a Level 1 felony, and molesting a child under 14 years old, a Level 4 felony, in Wells Circuit Court last month. As part of the plea agreement, 16 additional charges were dismissed.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a child in Arnold’s care said that he would bribe her with drinks and snacks after he touched her inappropriately. When the child would ask for an item, Arnold created a bartering system where he required her to undress and perform sexual acts to “earn” the item.
He also made comments and threats in an effort to make her believe she needed to endure more abuse to keep her family safe.
During his hearing in the Wells Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon, Judge Kenton Kiracofe addressed a statement from Arnold’s pre-sentence investigation report.
“I think your actions are disgusting,” Kiracofe said firmly. “Your comments, while honest, in no way justify what you have done. It is disturbing.”
Arnold attempted to deflect responsibility by placing the blame on the child. Kiracofe also addressed the prosecution during the hearing due to the fact that Arnold was facing far less time than he could have received in the plea deal.
“I trust the state couldn’t meet the criteria for the case or could not under the circumstances,” Kiracofe said. “Had this plea come before me open, this is not the outcome that would have happened. Be very grateful … that this was negotiated to what it is.”
Arnold potentially faced over 40 years in prison due to the number of Level 1 felony charges.
Kiracofe indicated that Arnold’s age is the only reason he accepted the plea agreement. When he is released, Arnold will more than 80 years old.
“I think you deserve every day the sentence calls for,” Kiracofe concluded. “I am concerned about it. You can deflect your role all you want but you were an adult and this is a child. It is disgusting.”
sydney@news-banner.com
