Las Vegas NowStiles Faces Life Sentence Toddler Sex Case

Stiles Faces Life Sentence Toddler Sex Case

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Accused child molester Chester Stiles was found guilty on all charges. Stiles had pleaded not guilty to 22 counts which included sexual assault with a minor under 14, lewdness with a child and attempted sexual assault charges. The jury spent only about four hours deliberating before they came back with a decision on the case.

The trial took six days and while the defense did not call any witnesses, the state called more than a dozen people to the stand, including an 11-year-old victim who accused Stiles of an assault that occurred when she was six-years-old.

But it was the videotape of Stiles assaulting a two-year-old girl that was the strongest evidence for the prosecution.

"To actually have somebody watch the crime committed, it's pretty unusual," said Deputy District Attorney Mary Kay Holthus.

The prosecution spent a long time connecting the tape to Stiles, going from its discovery in Pahrump by a man riding his motorcycle to his turning it over to police and eventually the FBI looking at it.

The 17 minute tape was also shown to the jury and many left that night looking upset.

"I think it is difficult for anybody to view this tape. The judge herself said that this is child pornography in its most graphic form," said Deputy District Attorney James Sweetin.

The defense argued the tape could have been manipulated and tried to sway the jury not to believe it proved the guilt of their client, but in the end, the jury did not seem swayed as the verdict was read.

There were 22 counts in all: 11 for sexual assault of a minor, 10 for lewdness with a minor, and one count attempted sexual assault with a minor. Each came with a guilty verdict.

During the three minutes it took to read the verdict, Stiles showed no emotion, only looking forward. He now faces multiple life sentences for the conviction.

Outside the courtroom, prosecutors were relived, saying the jury had seen the truth.

"We are very pleased. We feel that justice has been done. We're very happy with that," said Sweetin.

The DA said he was proud of how the case was handled and that if there is any good that comes out of it, he hopes the recent attention of this case will push parents to be vigilant about who has access to their children.

Stiles will be sentenced on May 8th.