Local man sentenced, called ‘reprehensible’ for sex acts

Resident babysitting 9-year-old when crime took place.

A Troy man convicted TROY — of sexual conduct with a 9-year-old girl he was babysitting – taking sexually graphic photos and making a video of the child on his phone – was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years to life by a Miami County judge who called his actions “abhorrent and reprehensible.”

Charles C. Cox, 43, earlier pleaded guilty in common pleas court to five charges in a plea deal in which six other felony charges would be dismissed and a prison term of 10 years to life suggested.

He pleaded to one count of rape, one count of pandering sexually oriented material and three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material or performance.

Cox told Judge Jeannine Pratt he was sorry for his actions.

“I regret it but also found The Lord while I was in jail,” he said.

The girl’s mother, in a written statement read by a victim advocate, said Cox was “one of the very few people we trusted with our children.”

The girl blames herself and “it will take some time for her to understand he is the monster,” she said.

County Prosecutor Tony Kendell said Cox’s conduct supported a life sentence.

Pratt said Cox had a history of criminal convictions, showed no genuine remorse and violated a position of trust with the child.

“Your conduct is abhorrent and reprehensible,” she said.

The sentence is 10 years to life with the adult parole authority charged with determining how many years he will serve, Pratt said.

Cox was classified as a Tier III sex offender.

The designation requires lifetime registration with the sheriff ’s office in the county where he would live following any release from prison.