By Brad Zinn
The News Leader
January 29, 2010
http://www.newsleader.com/article/20100129/NEWS01/1290330
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| Steven B. Joplin exits the courtroom Thursday Photo by Brad Zinn/The News Leader |
STAUNTON — A former Staunton church director who molested five young girls in his office and in the hallways of Christ United Methodist Church pleaded guilty Thursday in circuit court to seven counts of aggravated sexual battery.
A grim-faced Steven B. Joplin, 60, stared down at the defense table in the nearly empty courtroom as assistant Staunton prosecutor Anne Reed detailed the allegations against him.
Reed said Joplin began molesting the girls, who ranged in age from 10 to 12, in September 2008. All of the incidents took place at the church, located at 1512 Churchville Ave.
One of the children, a 10-year-old, told authorities she was molested at the church shortly after returning from a family reunion. The girl said she went to the church to attend a cooking class but was called in the office of Joplin, the church's director of Christian education. Reed said Joplin had the girl sit on his lap, where he put his hands up the girl's shirt as they viewed a computer screen.
Two other victims said Joplin came up behind them in a hallway and reached up into their shirts. Two additional victims said they too were fondled in Joplin's office while sitting on his lap and looking at the computer.
On Aug. 12, one of the girls who was fondled in Joplin's office immediately reported the incident, telling her mother that Joplin "was a child molester," according to Reed. Joplin, of Middlebrook, was arrested days later by Staunton police.
Reed said Joplin told police his marriage had been under strain and that he made a "poor decision." Following Thursday's hearing in Staunton Circuit Court, Reed had high praise for Investigator Chad Nestor of the Staunton Police Department, whose diligence in pursuing Joplin paid off with a swift arrest and a talkative suspect.
"Which included a confession from Mr. Joplin," Reed said.
There was no plea agreement in place for Thursday's guilty pleas, and Reed said she was satisfied Joplin took responsibility for his actions "as it spares these young girls from having to go through the trial process."
Joplin, who faces the possibility of 140 years in prison, remains free on bond. A sentencing date has not been set.
Contact: nicholasi@marshfieldmail.com
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