A man accused of sex abuse in Blount County avoided trial Monday with a last-minute blind plea.
Christopher Kyle Haynes, 55, of Morris, entered the plea to sodomy in the second degree and sexual abuse in the second degree. A blind plea means the defendant pleads guilty without a sentencing agreement. The judge will sentence Haynes in August.
Haynes faces up to 21 years in prison and will likely be required to register as a sex offender upon release.
Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey said there is evidence Haynes abused a 12-year-old girl and continued to abuse her for four years. He admitted the abuse to investigators. However he said he wasn’t a bad man but that a good man who made bad decisions.
Casey said it was time for Haynes to learn his fate and for his victim to receive justice.
“The defendant has played the system to keep this case pending in the courts for four years,” said Casey. “Christopher Kyle Haynes began perpetrating his crimes on a little girl. But this little girl is now a strong young woman. She is a brave woman and she showed up in court today to confront Haynes and was ready to tell a jury what he did to her. She came forward and exposed the defendant for what he really is. I am confident this young lady will continue to reach her full potential and succeed in life.”
Haynes is facing similar charges in Calhoun County. His trial in that case is set for August.
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