Robert Lee Stafford, 36, of Argos, was sentenced February 17, 2016 in Marshall Superior Court No. 1 to a 30 year sentence for child molesting. Stafford will be imprisoned at the Indiana Department of Correction pursuant to a plea agreement between Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tami Napier and defense attorney, Tom Black. Judge Robert O. Bowen sentenced Stafford to serve 30 years executed at the Indiana Department of Correction. Stafford will be a registered sex offender for life upon his projected release in 2041.
In open court, Stafford admitted that some time in February of 2015, he molested a six (6) year old family member. Argos Police Department Chief Corey Bowman investigated the incident after Stafford’s family member disclosed the sexual abuse.
Stafford admitted during the investigation that the relative’s disclosure of sexual abuse was indeed true.
Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman praised the work of the Argos Police Department for its prompt action in this matter once it was reported. “Chief Bowman of the Argos Police Department, as lead investigator, was particularly effective in removing a child sex offender from the community. Also, encouraging children to come forward and report abuse is critical in identifying these crimes. A common misconception about child sex abuse is that it is perpetrated by strangers.” Chipman added, “What this case, and nearly all child sex abuse cases demonstrate, however, is that the perpetrators of these crimes against children are usually someone they know and trust. Protecting children is a priority for me and these crimes will be aggressively prosecuted by my office.”
Stafford remains incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail until he is transported to the Indiana Department of Correction.
