ECCLES - An Eccles man convicted of sexually abusing at least five young boys has been sentenced to up to 45 years behind bars.
The Register-Herald reports 48-year-old James Edward Patton pleaded guilty in September to five counts of third degree sexual assault, use of minors in filming sexually explicit conduct and two counts of use of obscene material to seduce a minor in incidents involving boys ages 12 to 15.
Patton told the court Thursday that he was a victim of sexual abuse as a child.
Patton's attorney, Amber Hinkle, asked for an alternative sentence so that Patton could continue receiving therapy and treatment.
Raleigh County prosecutor Kristen Keller said the court didn't have jurisdiction to order hospital commitment and that home confinement wouldn't be enough to protect the public.
- The Associated Press