A state district court judge on Wednesday handed down the maximum sentence to a man who pleaded guilty to indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Judge Clayton Davis sentenced David Bird Tarver, 71, to 25 years in prison, without parole. Tarver pleaded guilty in August under an Alford plea — not admitting guilty, but conceding there was enough evidence for a conviction.

Tarver, who was originally charged with three counts of sexual battery, one count of molestation and one count of indecent behavior, reportedly began molesting the girl when she was 11 years old.

“Imposing the maximum sentence in this case is one of my easier decisions,” Davis said.

The girl’s mother and father both gave victim-impact statements, asking Davis to administer the maximum penalty.

Her father said Tarver had given her a life sentence and that he had “torn apart my family and my little girl.”

“My daughter will heal, but there are many things she will never get back,” the girl’s mother said.

Davis said he had received a motion for another defense attorney to enroll and for the sentencing to be delayed. He said the attorney could enroll, but that he would not delay the sentencing.

(MGNonline)

David Bird Tarver