Anderson County District Judge Eric Godderz handed down the maximum allowable penalty against convicted child molester Joseph Wilper in a January 8th sentencing, giving Wilper 27 and a half years in state prison without eligibility for parole for 23 years.
Wilper was convicted October 28th in a three-day jury trial on six related felonies involving indecent liberties with a child, aggravated incest and criminal sodomy and rape. The victim, Wilper’s daughter, was between the ages of 14 and 16 at the time the assaults occurred. The sentence reflects the maximum prison time allowable according to the state’s sentencing grid. Wilper will serve 330 months and won’t be eligible for parole for a minimum of 280 months.
Now, former Anderson County Attorney Elizabeth Oliver commended the work of Garnett Police Department Detective Todd Turner whose evidence gathering helped secure the conviction, as well as the courage of the young victim who gave testimony. Oliver says she showed a lot of courage and strength to stand up before Wilper and testify about the heinous crimes he committed.
