A Chattanooga man pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of aggravated sexual battery for allegedly molesting an 8-year-old boy multiple times in 2004.
Charles Lyndon Conlon, 59, told Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman that he was not entering into a plea agreement because he is guilty but because he doesn’t want to risk going to prison.
Defense attorney Gary Massey said the plea is in his client’s best interest.
“Mr. Conlon is pleading guilty because it is in his best interest to avoid possible jail time,” he said. “He does not have to admit guilt.”
By pleading guilty, Assistant District Attorney Leslie Longshore said Mr. Conlon will be placed on supervised probation for six years, and he must register with the sexual offender registry for life and must remain under community supervision for life.
In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss two additional counts of aggravated sexual battery against Mr. Conlon.
Ms. Longshore said the child, who now is 12, explained to the judge how Mr. Conlon touched him sexually on multiple occasions.
If he had gone to trial and been convicted, Ms. Longshore said Mr. Conlon could have faced between 12 and 20 years in prison.
Authorities said Mr. Conlon has previous convictions in Florida for similar crimes.
After entering the plea, Mr. Massey asked that the probation conditions preventing Mr. Conlon from operating a computer and drinking alcohol be waived, but Ms. Longshore objected.
Mr. Massey said Mr. Conlon and his wife often use the Internet to pay bills and conduct their banking, and they occasionally enjoy a glass of wine.
Ms. Longshore said pedophiles often use the Internet to prey on children.
“Mr. Conlon received a suspended sentence, and we intend for him to comply with the conditions of probation as they are set out,” she said.
Judge Steelman refused to lift the conditions.
