Orange convicted of indecency with a child
By KATHRYN MARTINEZ news1@kilgorenewsherald.com

CHARLES ORANGE

A Kilgore man was convicted of indecency with a child last week after a teenage boy recounted the abuse he suffered from a molester living with the boy's family and sharing a bed with the child. The offenses occurred between 2002 and 2004.

Charles Orange, 43, of Kilgore, was convicted of indecency with a child Thursday and given a 10-year probation sentence. Judge Alfonso Charles, County Court at Law No. 2, set the terms of the man's probation on Friday.

Others who took the stand against Orange include Tony Stone, Kilgore Police detective; and Cheryl Halla, former principal of Kilgore Intermediate School.

One witness gave testimony of Orange being sighted at area schools and playgrounds, where he used binoculars to watch children at play.

Jenny Huckle, assistant Gregg County district attorney, said Orange was acquitted on earlier child sex charges in August of last year after a lengthy trial at which three other boys testified against him and made similar allegations in an unrelated case.

Huckle also said the terms of Orange's probation, set last week, state Orange must wear a tracking device for the first six months of his probation.

According to Huckle, Orange must also live at least 1,000 feet from any schools, playgrounds or any other places children may congregate.

Huckle said if Orange enters any forbidden area a signal will be immediately transmitted to OmniLink, a tracking company, and to law enforcement. If caught in any of these areas, Orange's probation could be revoked.

In addition, Huckle said Orange cannot spend time with anyone younger than the age of 18 unless the visit is supervised.

Huckle also said Orange also is no longer permitted to work at any place that caters to children, such as a school, daycare or a toy store. In the past Orange had worked at Toys 'R' Us, been a daycare employee as well as a substitute custodian at Chandler Elementary School.

"Mr. Orange must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life," Huckle said. "His conviction brings a great deal of comfort to a number of Kilgore families."