GARNETT — A 38-year-old Garnett man was given life in prison for taking indecent liberties with a 13-year-old girl. Because of a state law called “Jessica’s Law,” Michael Tate Presley must serve at least 25 years before he is eligible for parole. The new law is modeled after a Florida law that requires longer penalties for sex offenders. Presley pleaded no contest to one charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a minor. Two other charges were dismissed. He was accused of “lewd fondling or touching” of the 13-year-old girl at least three times last year. The Anderson County Review reported that before the sentencing, Presley gave District Court Judge Eric Godderz a letter. Presley’s letter said the girl consented. The letter also questioned Godderz’s right to judge Presley, who wrote that God is “the true judge and whose is the only judgment that counts.” Presley’s letter also questioned sex education in public schools. He wrote that if schools teach sex education, it should be abstinence-only.
Wedneday, Sept. 22, 2 p.m.
