When children molest children: Boy, 16, charged with molesting girl half his age
A local 16-year-old could face trial as an adult for allegedly molesting a girl half his age.
The suspect, Michael W. Stokes is being held in juvenile custody in Cookeville pending a detention hearing Monday before Juvenile Court Judge Larry Ross.
Stokes is charged with delinquency to the act of child rape and sexual battery for allegedly molesting an 8-year-old girl on multiple occasions earlier this year. Stokes has reportedly confessed to the incidents.
During a preliminary hearing this week, prosecutors revealed Stokes had moved here to live with family. He formerly hails from Virginia where his parents reportedly still live. They are expected here for the hearing Monday.
Evidence was presented that Stokes had been in some minor trouble with the law in Virginia before moving here. Prosecutors are resisting any attempt at pre-trial release for Stokes due to his limited ties to the community and the severity of the offense.
Prosecutors are considering an attempt to try Stokes as an adult given the severity of the crime. To do so, prosecutors must conduct a transfer hearing before Judge Ross. If transferred, Stokes could face up to 25 years on the child rape charge alone.
If tried as an adult, his maximum penalty would be confinement in a juvenile facility until his 19th birthday.