Chester Stiles
American child rapist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chester "Chet" Arthur Stiles (born September 14, 1970, in Louisville, Kentucky[1]) is an American criminal who gained notoriety after he appeared in video clips of himself raping and sexually abusing a girl who was three years old at the time. The video was made in 2003 but was discovered under a fallen sign in 2007 in Pahrump, Nevada.[2] Both the FBI and the Las Vegas Police launched a nationwide manhunt which led to his capture.[3] Police released the video to the media, and the child's mother recognized her daughter; Stiles was living with them at the time the video was recorded.[2] He was caught in Henderson, Nevada, and appeared in court on October 17, 2007.[2][4] Further investigation showed Stiles had abused another young girl while living with her family.[2]
- Lewdness with a child under the age of 14 (10 counts)
- Sexual assault with a minor under 14 (11 counts)
- Attempted sexual assault with a minor under 14
Chester Stiles | |
|---|---|
Mugshot of Stiles after his capture in 2007 | |
| Born | September 14, 1970 |
| Other names | "Chet" |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated at Ely State Prison |
| Convictions |
|
| Criminal penalty | 21 life sentences with the de jure possibility of parole after 140 years[a] |
On May 29, 2009, Stiles was sentenced to 21 life sentences on 21 counts with the possibility of parole in 140 years.[5] The judge said that he showed no remorse in the hearing; Stiles responded to the sentence with the claim that his prosecution "shows a child's virtue is more important than a man's life." He continued, "I incurred 21 life sentences for a non-violent act ... I wish the truth was more important."[6] As of 2015 his sentence was one of the world's longest.[7]
Once he got to the Nevada Department of Corrections, he was classified (Offender ID Number: 1036868) and placed in protective custody for his own safety from the prison's general population inmates.
Notes
- Stiles will never be eligible for parole within his lifetime, as it is guaranteed he will be dead by his earliest release date.