Sentencing for 85-year-old child molester pushed to February
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EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains graphic details. Reader discretion is advised.
IDAHO FALLS — The sentencing for an 85-year-old man has been postponed for nearly two months.
Charles Carroll pleaded guilty to felony lewd conduct with a minor as part of a plea agreement in October. He was scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 18; however, that hearing is now set for Feb. 5.
Bonneville County Prosecuting Attorney Danny Clark told EastIdahoNews.com the sentencing is delayed because the prosecutor on that case, Chief Deputy Prosecutor John Dewey, was unavailable for the Dec. 18, court date.
The plea deal Carroll entered into stipulates that he plead guilty to lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16. In return, the prosecution will limit its recommendation for Carroll’s sentencing to that of the pre-sentencing investigation. The judge ultimately decides the sentence, which is a maximum of life in prison.
Carroll must undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation to determine the likelihood of a repeat offense as well as a polygraph test to ensure he has no other victims.
The deal is contingent that Carroll fully cooperate with the investigation. Failure to do so will allow the prosecution to seek whatever sentencing they see fit.
Carroll is accused of engaging in lewd conduct with a 4-year-old girl who he says was like a granddaughter to him. The victim lived with her mother in the same apartment complex as Carroll.
In a June interview with EastIdahoNews.com,, Carroll said he was wearing a robe and no underwear while sitting in his dining room smoking a cigarette. The girl and her mother were at his home.
“My robe had become partially open, and I didn’t correct it,” Carroll said. “She walked over and out of curiosity, I’d say, started handling my genitals.”
Carroll said this went on “for three or four minutes” and when asked why he didn’t stop her, he replied, “That’s a good question for which I do not have a good answer. I did not encourage her, but I did not discourage her. I wish I would have, but I did not.”
Her mother found her as Carroll was exposing himself to her daughter, according to court documents. The victim told prosecutors of other alleged sexual acts he performed on her.
The specific plea Carroll entered was an Alford plea – which means he admits there may be enough evidence for a jury to find him guilty, but he still maintains that he is innocent.