Ex-railroad museum worker accused of molesting boy has charge dismissed

David Pugh works on a steam-powered locomotive at the Tennessee Valley Railroad shop in 2010.
David Pugh works on a steam-powered locomotive at the Tennessee Valley Railroad shop in 2010.
photo Charles David Pugh

The charges against Charles David Pugh, who is accused of molesting a 16-year-old boy, were dropped today in Hamilton County Sessions Court.

Judge Clarence Shattuck determined that prosecutors did not prove the incident happened within the state's four-year-statute of limitations.

Pugh was accused of performing oral sex on the boy in 2010, but the charges were not filed until Oct. 31, 2014.

When the charges were filed, the now 21-year-old man told Hamilton County detectives that the last time he had sexual contact with Pugh was between Nov. 1 and Dec. 23, 2010.

That would have would have fallen within the statute of limitations.

But today in a preliminary hearing, the man testified that the last incident happened between Oct. and Nov. 2010.

Any incident that happened in Oct. 2010 would fall outside of the statute of limitations and could not be prosecuted.

Shattuck ruled that the state did not prove the incident happened in November 2010.

"There is no question in this court's mind this event occurred," Shattuck said. "But because of the statute of limitations... it is not clear to this court that it happened after Oct. 31."

Pugh is suspected of molesting more than one boy over several years as he worked at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, but was charged with only one count of aggravated statutory rape.

At least two of the other men who say they were abused by Pugh when they were teenagers attended today's hearing. The statue of limitations on their allegations have also passed.

Pugh's attorney, Lee Davis, was not immediately available for comment.

Stay with the Times Free Press for updates on this developing story.

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