Tavia D. Green

The Leaf-Chronicle

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. The 36-year-old woman sat in the District Attorney's office and cheerfully talked to her mother moments after leaving Judge Mike R. Jones' court Monday morning.

The woman, who has a mental disability, had watched as a formerly trusted family friend pleaded guilty to molesting her.

"It's been a long time coming," her mother said. "She's going to go on with her life. We are trying to get her back into wanting to go out in the yard and sleep without nightmares. Hopefully this will put an end to it. ... Closure. She needed closure. I wanted her to come today. She needed to hear him admit he was guilty."

It is the policy of The Leaf-Chronicle not to identify victims of sex crimes.

The woman played with Orson, the DA's victim's assistance dog, and was in good spirits. It was first time she'd smiled since coming to the office two years ago as a sex crime victim, said Kimberly Lund, assistant district attorney and prosecutor.

Charles Alan "Chuck" Denton, 60, a retired Clarksville Police sergeant and associate pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, was scheduled to begin a jury trial Monday but instead pleaded guilty to abusing the woman.

He was initially charged with two counts of rape on allegations he inappropriately had sexual contact with the woman between June and August 2012.

Denton entered a guilty plea to an amended count of sexual battery, a Class E felony, and agreed to three years of probation at 35 percent. Denton must register as a Tennessee Sex Offender for 10 years.

Family friend, caregiver

Lund said Denton was a close family friend who had helped with the care of the victim. Text messages of a sexual nature from Denton were found on the victim's cell phone.

The victim told investigators Denton was her friend, that she had gone on motorcycle rides with him and that he had molested her.

During the investigation, Denton admitted he touched the woman's breast, but he denied any genital contact.

Lund said the state and defense worked hard to arrange a plea agreement.

"We have to do what's in the best interest of the victim," Lund said. "It was in her best interest to not go to trial. It was a good resolution. She can put it behind her and move on, and he's a convicted sex offender. We put a lot of thought into it. ... It's been going on for two years, and that's a long time to deal with it and leave it open."

Retired police officer, associate pastor

Denton was a sergeant at the Clarksville Police Department and retired in June 2008 after 32 years of service. He is listed as the associate pastor and guitarist at Bethel Baptist Church on the church's online staff directory.

The victim's mother said it's been a long journey to the settlement. Besides the effects of being a victim, she said her daughter is heartbroken that she lost her church. She said her daughter was shunned by fellow church members when the allegations came forward.

Ted Denny, senior pastor at Bethel Baptist, located in Cunningham, said Denton remains a pastor there.

"He maintained his innocence throughout the process," Denny said. "In our judicial system, he is still innocent until proven guilty. When I found out he would accept a plea from the District Attorney's Office, he said he accepted the plea because he felt it was in the best interest of him and his family."

Denny said it was an unfortunate situation.

"I've been in prayer for both parties," Denny said. "It's very unfortunate, sad situation and we continue to pray."

The woman's mother said she hopes to get her daughter's life back on track. That includes bowling, which she excels at.

"I'm proud of the fact that she did come forward with it," her mother said. "She didn't realize what it would entail. She didn't know she couldn't be friends with him. If the lady hadn't found the text messages, I don't know how long it would've went on. ... We never would've expected it out of him. We're glad it's over, and we hope God will forgive him."

Tavia D. Green, 245-0742

Higher education/courts

taviagreen@theleafchronicle.com

Twitter: @TaviaGreen_Leaf