Upshur County Man Sentenced for Indecency with a Child

GILMER — An Upshur County sex offender was sentenced to 25 years in prison for indecency with a child. On Wednesday, Charles Douglas McClain, III, waived a trial by jury. The judge found him guilty of indecency with a child by touching after hearing evidence against the suspect. The crime occurred July 4th of last year at the Hidden Bend Apartments in Gilmer. McClain and his wife were staying with family members there, when a 12-year-old child awakened to the defendant inappropriately touching her.

The following day, the child told a family member what happened and the crime was reported to authorities, who launched an investigation into the matter. During interviews, McClain claimed he only touched her by accident and maintained the stance through trial. While testifying in court, the victim stated through tears the defendant made sexual contact with her private areas. Other evidence presented also showed McClain spent several years in prison for robbery in Upshur County. His rap sheet included convictions all the way back to when he was a juvenile in 2000.

After hearing arguments, the judge sentenced McClain to 25 years in prison and will only be eligible for parole after half the sentence is served. The convict will also be required to register as a sex offender for life upon his release.