A 34-year-old Newton man accused of having a year long on-line relationship with a 16-year-old West Virginia girl is going to prison. Eric Carter was arrested in Bluefield West Virginia last November, after he spent at least four days with the girl at a motel.
He was arrested after the 16-year-old got into an argument with Carter and went to her mother’s place of employment. The mother had reported the teen missing. West Virginia State Police claim Carter was taken into custody just before he was to board of bus back to Newton. Authorities say Carter and the 16-year-old both admitted they had sex while at the motel.
The Newton man pled guilty to soliciting a minor and a more severe felony charge. He had faced 19 felony charges. The prosecuting attorney says the victim and her mother approved the plea deal offered Carter. The judge denied the Newton man’s request for probation so he could return to his job in Newton.
Carter will spend no more than three years in prison, with credit for the 338 days he spent in Jail prior to his plea. Once he fulfills his prison term, he’ll be on10 years probation and spend the rest of his life on the sex offender registry.
(Reporting by cut, Randy Van KCOB, Newton)