Child rapist sentenced

The defendant, Mark Alley, 46, entered a no-contest plea this past week before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to charges of aggravated sexual battery and attempted aggravated sexual battery. He was ordered to serve 10 years at 100 percent, meaning he is not eligible for parole. He was also ordered to list himself for life on the state?s sexual offender registry.

Alley has already served part of his sentence awaiting trial following his arrest in 2002 for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old boy. His charges were later expanded to include five more underage boys, some of whom came forward as grown men after years of silence.

Many came forward when news of Alley?s arrest was published in the Southern Standard following his first arrest for the 9-year-old. Investigators say Alley likely carried out his inappropriate contact with young boys for nearly 20 years, stopping only when he was put in jail. Lawmen say Alley gained access to the boys through his friendship with their parents and earned their trust so they did not suspect his illegal actions.

Alley entered pleas to two of the original six counts during his appearance before the court this past week and the rest were dismissed. The no-contest plea entered by Alley works the same as a guilty plea.

Investigators say Alley?s crimes against boys can be traced back to 1984, running all the way up to 2002 when he was nabbed for the 9-year-old boy molestation. One of the boys molested by Alley was allegedly as young as 4, while the oldest was 13. Lawmen believe there are still victims out there who did not come forward.