Prosecutor Urges Prison for Child Molester, 78

A 78-year-old Santa Clarita man who admitted molesting a young boy over a two-year period faces up to eight years in state prison, a Los Angeles County prosecutor said Friday.

Robert H. Hughes, in an arrangement with prosecutors, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of lewd conduct, one count of a lewd sexual act and one misdemeanor count of possessing child pornography.

The molestations, which began when the boy was 9, occurred while the youngster visited Hughes at his Santa Clarita home, said Pamela Davis-Springer, deputy district attorney.

Sentencing was scheduled for June 21. Davis-Springer said she will insist that Hughes spend some time behind bars, despite his age. She will ask for at least a six-year sentence, Davis-Springer said.

The molestations began in 1985 and continued until 1987 when the boy told Hughes to stop, Davis-Springer said.

The boy--now 13--kept the molestations secret from his family until this year, she said. Hughes, who is free on his own recognizance, was arrested at his residence March 28.

Davis-Springer said the sentencing probably will be delayed because the defense has asked for a psychiatric evaluation of Hughes, which would be used to argue that he should be sentenced to probation, not state prison.

Davis-Springer conceded that jail time for a 78-year-old man could amount to “a death sentence.” But the prosecutor said she believes prison is warranted. “My concern is for the victim,” she said.