WEST VIRGINIA
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
By SAMANTHA PERRY Bluefield Daily Telegraph
During a sentencing hearing for Timothy Probert, who pleaded guilty in April to 37 charges related to sexual abuse of boys while a church volunteer and mentor for at-risk youth, two victims addressed the court. Following is the full statement of one of those victims:
“I am thankful for the opportunity to address this court. I intend to do so plainly, directly and honestly.
“I am here as a victim of Tim Probert.
“I am here because Tim Probert systematically and methodically groomed me as a 14 year old boy to feed his twisted, pathetic sexual appetites. Tim Probert was an elder in my church. He was a family friend. He was trusted by the family of my closest friend.
“Tim Probert was strategic to establish a friendship with me so that I would become increasingly sexual with him. Over the course of approximately two years I spent about four different nights at Tim Probert’s house. The progression was always the same. First friendship through shooting pool; sharing meals; watching movies. Along the way alcohol was always introduced. Then Tim would provide us with pornography to watch with him. As a 14-year-old, pubescent boy with my earliest access to alcohol I masturbated in the presence of Tim Probert. As a grown man, a trusted citizen of our community, a family friend, an elder of the church of Jesus Christ, Tim Probert masturbated in my presence. Tim Probert asked me if he could masturbate me, which I declined. I was unable to see it at the time, but have come to believe this was the carefully choreographed work of a seasoned sexual predator.
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