Guilty Plea

By: Andrea Williams - Email

Updated: Tue 4:53 PM, Jul 23, 2002

Sixty-two-year-old Travis Knight was charged in the case. Tuesday in Kemper County Circuit Court he pled guilty to a charge of sexual battery, which involved a 15-year-old girl. The guilty plea stemmed from an incident, which happened last May at Knight's home in the Bailey Community. According to prosecutors, at the time of the incident the victim and one of her friends had been hired to clean Knight's house.

"We're excited that he pled," said Atty. Veldore Young, Assistant District Attorney. "The evidence in this case was really, really strong and I don't think he would have had any other choice but to plead."

That evidence included a videotape of the incident. Tuesday in court Knight admitted to making the tape. Prosecutors say the victim's family hopes that the plea sends a strong message.

"The family wants this case to send the message that young girls are vulnerable and men have to understand that these are still children! We in law enforcement have to take care of those children," Young said.

An Aug. 23 sentencing date has been set for Knight. The maximum penalty he faces is up to 30-years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

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