Church Hill man takes plea in assault of 9-year-old boy
ROGERSVILLE — A Church Hill man who was scheduled to stand trial Wednesday accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old boy in a porta-potty in 2010 instead accepted a plea agreement for nine years in prison.
William Dean McAllister, 20, has been in the Hawkins County Jail since his arrest on Sept. 6, 2010, on a single count of aggravated sexual battery.
Police said McAllister forced the boy into a portable restroom at a park near the VFW on Silver Lake Road in Church Hill. Police said McAllister ordered the victim to pull his pants down, then sexually assaulted him.
The victim was able to escape by opening the door of the restroom and running away, an incident that was observed by witnesses.
On Wednesday, McAllister entered an Alford plea before Judge John Dugger to the reduced charge of attempted aggravated sexual battery in exchange for a sentence above the sentencing range for that crime.
The original charge carries a penalty of eight to 12 years and must be served at 100 percent.
The reduced charge McAllister pleaded to carries a penalty of three to six years with a 30 percent release eligibility.
Instead McAllister accepted a nine-year sentence with a 45 percent release eligibility.
McAllister will also be monitored as a convicted sex offender for the rest of his life once he is released from prison.
Assistant Attorney General Kevin Keeton said the sentence was approved by the victim’s parents and the prosecuting officers.
Under the Alford plea, the defendant maintains innocence but admits that sufficient evidence exists for the prosecution to convince a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Other guilty pleas heard by Judge John Dugger included:
• Clay Thurman Livesay, 43, 374 Summit Hill Road, Bulls Gap, who was sentenced to two years and fined $2,000 for promotion of methamphetamine manufacturing. That charge will run consecutive to an earlier conviction for manufacturing meth for a total sentence of 10 years.
• Holly J. Hamilton, 31, 417 Barnett Drive, Lot 14, Kingsport, who was sentenced to one year, fined $200 and ordered to pay a total of $317 to six different victims for two counts of forgery and four counts of worthless checks.
• Craig Allen Ward, 40, 235 N. Hawkins St., Rogersville, who was sentenced to one year and fined $250 for felony evading arrest, improper turn, registration violation, and driving without a license.
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