Convicted molester sentenced to time served
GREENCASTLE -- A Coatesville man was sentenced in Putnam County Superior Court Tuesday for a charge of Class C felony child molesting.
Robbie G. Stanton, 36, was given an 18-month Indiana Department of Correction sentence, but because he spent nearly a year in jail after his August 2009 arrest he was released with time served.
Stanton will have to spend an additional year on probation.
Stanton, who was represented by Greencastle attorney Darrell Felling, is unemployed and lives with his parents. He agreed to comply with all the terms of his probation, as well as to keep himself registered with the state as a sex offender for the next 10 years.
Stanton is also prohibited from having contact with any person under the age of 18 without the permission of the court.
Felling called the incident of molestation committed by Stanton an "unfortunate situation" for which his client was extremely remorseful. He pointed out that Stanton had no prior criminal history to speak of.
"I believe Robbie will respond well to treatment programs and that incarceration would be horrible for this young man," Felling said. "It would put him in a potentially dangerous situation."
Felling said he believed the direction Stanton would receive from his probation officer, Teresa Parrish, would "keep Robbie on the right track."
"Whatever Mrs. Parrish thinks will help you, you'll do," Judge Denny Bridges told Stanton at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.
Stanton was in the Putnam County Jail from Aug. 5, 2009 until 10 percent of a $5,000 bond was posted for him on July 15, 2010.
Stanton's arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by Putnam County Sheriff's Department Detective Capt. Michael J. Biggs.
Court records said Stanton had been diagnosed with various mental conditions, including schizophrenia.
Court records said Stanton admitted to the molestation, but said he was intoxicated when he committed the acts.
Three incidents, described in court documents as fondling, occurred in Fillmore about two years before Stanton's arrest. The victim was 11 years old at the time.