FT. MOHAVE – Attorneys pushed for both ends of the minimum-maximum punishment range at the December 30 sentencing hearing for a Fort Mohave man who pleaded guilty in a late reported case of child sex allegations. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen sided with the state, ordering the maximum 20-year prison sentence possible under terms of a plea agreement for Timothy Welty, 45.
Welty pleaded guilty in late November to sexual conduct with a minor and two counts reduced to attempted sexual conduct with a minor.
Authorities said the victim was 14 and 15 years old during repetitive crimes committed over a two-year period ending three years ago. Case investigation did not begin until the victim called the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office in August.
The girl reportedly alleged that Welty introduced her to pornography and involved her in an array of sexual activity in the 2400 block of East Gosuiet Road.
Defense attorney Robert Heieck offered that Welty’s judgment and cognitive thinking was impaired as he suffered from the ravages of Huntington’s disease.
Deputy county attorney Leah Nelson countered that the defendant’s criminal behavior was inflicted in strategic and heinous fashion.
Judge Jantzen tacked on lifetime probation, once Welty completes his double decade prison term.
Dave Hawkins
