Man gets life sentence for molestation of teen girl

A Carson City man and former state worker was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for molesting a teenage girl.

Harold Germaine Knox, 52, a one-time senior purchaser for the state, will be eligible for parole in 10 years.

"When I committed this crime, (the victim) was at a vulnerable stage and I took advantage of that. I'd touch her inappropriately," Knox said in asking for probation. "I became weak. I was on medication for depression and I was abusing alcohol. I hope someday to meet her face to face and tell her how devastated I am."

According to court records, Knox sexually assaulted the girl at his Gardengate Way home between January 1996 and December 1998 when the victim was between the ages of 12 and 14.

He was arrested in March 2005 and charged with one count of sexual assault of a child under the age of 16 and one count of lewdness with a child under the age of 14.

He pleaded to a the lewdness charge in exchange for dismissal of the sexual assault charge.

Tuesday, defense attorney David Houston noted a psychological evaluation of Knox regarded him as an individual least likely to reoffend.

"He said this is the most disgusting thing he's ever done," Houston said.

A report from parole and probation, which recommended the life sentence, stated Knox didn't show appropriate remorse.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Anne Langer said she was not opposed to probation for Knox because it was something the victim, now 21 and living in another state, wanted.

"She requested (Knox) not go to prison," Langer said.

She said the victim did ask specifically that Knox be made to register as a sex offender, be relieved of his parental rights over his young daughter and be made to get counseling.

Houston said during a year of negotiations, Knox complied with one of the requests and drew up paperwork to relinquish rights to his child.

"He is not a fit person to ever receive custody of his children," Langer said.

But District Judge Bill Maddox was not open to the idea of probation, and instead gave Knox the toughest penalty.

"Adults should not be engaging in sexual acts with children," he said.

-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.