Laneville man pleads to raping disabled nephew

A man convicted in Rusk County last week for aggravated sexual assault of a family member received a 25-year prison sentence.

Micheal Jimerson, Rusk County district attorney, said Charles Ray Floyd, 53, of Lanevlle, admitted in a video confession that he raped his 30-year-old mentally retarded nephew. The DA said the victim has the mental capacity of an 8-year-old.

The nephew testified in court that the first aggravated sexual assault occurred during a fishing trip with his uncle, said Jimerson. Floyd further admitted in the video confession that he also had incestuous relations with a sister and nieces during the past 15 years.

The state sought a life sentence, insisting this was the only way to stop the defendant, while the defense argued for probation because the defendant had never been convicted of a felony and the conduct was not as egregious as prosecutors contended, said Jimerson.

“Without the outstanding investigation and work of the Rusk County Sheriff ’s Department we could not have obtained any conviction or sentence,” Jimerson said. “I am convinced without the confession obtained by sheriff ’s department Lt. Charles Helton, the case would have resulted in an acquittal and the defendant would continue to sexually assault his nephew and other relatives.”