A Chattanooga man accused of raping a child in 2013 pleaded guilty Tuesday morning to lesser charges, avoiding a scheduled jury trial and a potentially harsher sentence.
Charles MooreProsecutors said the victim reported to her grandmother on July 18, 2013, that Charles Moore, 56, had exposed and begun stroking himself while they were in the living room together. The victim told Moore to stop whenever someone else came into the room, but recorded the entire encounter, state prosecutor Leslie Longshore said. The next day, the victim - who was under age 13 at the time, according to court records - told the Child Advocate Center of at least two other incidents with Moore, one of which involved sexual penetration, according to court records.
Moore was arrested and later indicted on child rape, aggravated assault and indecent exposure charges.
On Tuesday, Moore pleaded guilty to the last two charges through a plea agreement in Hamilton County Criminal Court. The Times Free Press does not name victims in sexual assault cases.
Through the plea deal, Moore lost several civil rights, such as his ability to vote, own a firearm or serve on a jury.
The judge told Moore the consequences could have been worse without the plea deal.
"Had you been convicted in trial, you would have been facing a much more serious sentencing," Judge Tom Greenholtz said. "But having accepted the plea agreement, the court imposes the following sentences."
Moore was sentenced to seven years in prison in the Tennessee Department of Correction system for aggravated assault and another 11 months and 29 days in Hamilton County Jail for indecent exposure. He told Greenholtz, however, that he was pleased with the outcome.
"Mr. Moore, you tell the court that you're pleased with the agreement," Greenholtz countered as the plea agreement came to a close. "I don't know that it pleases me."
Contact Zack Peterson at zpeterson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow @zackpeterson918.