Convicted molester sentenced to time served

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

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.

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  • So they let this child preditor back on the streets,what happens the next time he gets drunk?

    -- Posted by obeone on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 9:15 AM
  • They should have put him in prison and tatooed it across his forehead what he did. What is going to happen next time he gets drunk is he going to do it again to someone else

    -- Posted by my opinion 2 on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 1:03 PM
  • Denny would the sentence have been the same if this [drunk is no excuse] had happened to your child?

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 2:41 PM
  • To the three persons who have commented before me; First of all, I would like to say that I know Robbie,and his family, and have for many years, they are ALL good people. I know what Robbie has done is wrong, and yes, he like everyone else who commits a crime should be punished, and he is being punished. He lives everyday with the knowledge of what he has done and the hurt and pain he has caused the victim, the victims family, and his family, and himself. He has many problems, and has to deal with those as well. I am not by any means saying that we should feel sorry for him in anyway, but a little compassion for someone who realizes he needs help, and who is getting it goes a long way, especially for those many individuals suffering mental illness.This could have happened to anyone. How many people can really say they know they never commit leud and lascivious acts while under the influence? If it had been someone in your family would you be so quick as to say,'They should put him in prison and tattoo what he did across his forehead?'No, I don't believe you would. This man needs help. He may not be in prison, but he will be paying for his actions for the rest of his life.I hope that none of you ever have to go through what this man, his family, the victim or the victims family has had to go through. I'd hate to see people, strangers even give up on you and condemn you while knowing that you will be paying for your crime for the rest of your life!

    -- Posted by churchmouse on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 4:13 PM
  • churchmouse.... Let him do it to one of your kids/grandkids and let's see if your attitude would be the same. He lives with his pain everyday??? Get real. He committed a HEINOUS crime on a child and is walking the streets.

    -- Posted by calcans1 on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 4:51 PM
  • churchmouse I to know both sides of the family and i still say he did not get what he deserved no matter what you think if that would have been your child or grandchild would you still feel the same way I dont think so

    -- Posted by my opinion 2 on Wed, Jan 26, 2011, at 10:13 PM
  • churchmouse I know this family also and they are NOT all good people. Robbie is just another in a long line of worthless people. Not that the others molested kids, but they didn't set a very good example either.

    -- Posted by Clovertucky on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 12:03 AM
  • THIS IS SICK!!! MY BROTHER IN LAW IS DOING ONE YEAR IN JAIL BECAUSE HE WAS CAUGHT WITH ROLLING PAPERS AND A BAGGIE, AN EMPTY BAGGIE! AND I AGREE MY BROTHER IN LAW SHOULD BE PUNISHED BUT, TO THE SAME EXTENT AS A CONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER!! WOW PUTNAM COUNTY NEEDS TO STOP GOING SO EASY ON THESE DANGEROUS PEOPLE! I THINK THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE PRIORITY!! I AM TRULY DISAPPOINTED IN JUDGE DENNY!!!

    -- Posted by Redsonia on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 10:07 AM
  • Child Molesters should be required to have a specialized license plate on their car and a sign in their front yard for life.

    -- Posted by ProblemTransmission on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 2:27 PM
  • Churchmouse- the answer to your question!! Heck yes if this was my family member and he commited this crime I would want him punished to the fullest extent. I know that he lives with what he did everyday, but it is nowhere near as painful as what his victims and families of the victims deal with everyday! I am so tired of reading comments to articles that say they come from a good family. Who cares if they came from a good family their family didn't commit the crime!!

    -- Posted by seriously do people think on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 3:01 PM
  • This just goes to show it's all about who you know in this county. If you have the money to hire a good attorney, more than likely you're going to get a slap on the wrist. It has been shown that child molesters, more times than not, cannot be rehabilitated. Just another example of the lovely Putnam County Justice System!

    -- Posted by ruserious27 on Thu, Jan 27, 2011, at 11:45 PM
  • I can say that I have never molested a child while under the infuence! What kind of question is that? I believe in second chances, maybe even third... but not for child molesters. These are the type of monsters that I would never want to risk my childrens' safety with. There is no rehabilitation for a child molester. It is something they are born with. I like tall, dark haired, green eyed men. I'm not going to wake up one day and poof, I like short, blonde haired guys. It's a matter of what they prefer: and they prefer children. It makes me sick to think that this type of person is free. We need harsher punishement for those who prey upon our children.

    -- Posted by WTFRUthinkin on Fri, Jan 28, 2011, at 1:06 AM
  • Reaction to ruserious27 and my opinion 2.... Just anothe example of people talking about things that they know nothing about. The story tells us that the man is Unemployed.... So how can your statment be even taken in consideration.... Thats what I love about people. They THINK too much...."Let he without sin cast the first stone.." Remember that...Learn it... LIVE IT.......

    -- Posted by shadowman1 on Tue, Jan 10, 2012, at 12:32 PM
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