A child molestation case more than a decade old came to a conclusion Wednesday with the sentencing of 41-year-old Todd Allen Tanner.
Tanner entered an agreement with the 22nd Judicial District Attorneys Office and pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault on a child and unlawful sexual contact pertaining to acts with a then 12-year-old girl beginning in June 2000.
Now a grown woman, the victim spoke at Wednesdays hearing, saying the abuse began as small acts and led to darkness in her life.
All I wanted was to go far away to a place where you could not hurt me, she told the defendant. Now I speak for the 12-year-old girl I once was.
The victim alleged Tanner manipulated and deceived those around him about the sexual abuse and his substance abuse. She said through the abuse, the man took away her ability to love and trust those around her.
You changed how I feel about myself, she said. You dont deserve that kind of power.
She said she will have to challenge the monsters inside her head to live a normal life.
It seems so far away, she said. Many days, it seems I feel ready to give up. ... I continually uncover the hidden wounds that will need to be healed.
Through the help of family and friends, the victim said she is able to release the darkness, guilt, shame, anger, dread and distrust of men.
I choose to take back my power and relinquish the power he held over me, she said.
She asked Chief Judge Douglas Walker for the maximum sentence under the plea agreement
Tanner said little at the hearing. His attorney, Alex Tejada said his client is deathly afraid of whats going on.
Tanner apologized for his actions.
I claim responsibility for my actions, he said.
After months of negotiations with the district attorneys office, Tejada said they were able to agree on the unlawful sexual contact charge, which would require Tanner to register as a sex offender.
The prosecution is intent on having something that reflects a sex offense, Tejada said.
Walker accepted the offer, sentencing Tanner to a 48-month deferred sentence and 48 months of concurrent probation.
Tanner will serve no jail time unless he violates the conditions of his probation, at which point he could serve up to six years in prison, with two years parole and a $100,000 fine.
The terms of probation require Tanner to register as a sex offender, seek sex offender treatment, provide a DNA sample for a criminal database, substance abuse testing, substance abuse treatment, attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous, payment of $5,867 in court costs, payment of restitution to the victim, and adherence to a protective order requiring no contact with the victim or witnesses.
Walker told Tanner he had received a relatively light sentence and hinted he would not be so lenient if the defendant violated the terms of his probation.
The fact that this case has been drawn out for so long worked in your favor, Walker said, because I wanted to end this for the victim.
Reach Reid Wright at reidw@cortezjournal.com.
