Syracuse Man Receives 16 Years In Prison For Child Molesting
By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
Thomas Allen Books II
WARSAW — A Syracuse man will serve 16 years in prison for molesting a child.
Thomas Allen Books II, 34, Syracuse, was charged with child molesting, a Level 3 felony, as a lesser included offense of a Level 1 felony. Three additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Books was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Thursday, July 25.
For child molesting, Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Books to 16 years in the Indiana Department of Correction. A 16-year sentence is the maximum amount of time a defendant in the State of Indiana can receive for a Level 3 felony. McGrath said the sentence was appropriate due to the nature of the offense and the harm to the child.
Books has 240 days of jail time credit. A no-contact order between Books and the victim remains in effect. He is also required to register as a sex offender.
At sentencing, the child’s mother testified about her family’s life being “forever changed” as a result of Books’ actions. She said the child is “changed and scarred for life,” saying it will take years to rebuild their self-esteem and mental health.
“We are struggling to rebuild our lives,” said the mother. “My children beg me to stay with them at night because they are fearful after what happened. What happened was not an accident … this brought us hurt, heartache, and distress.”
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Sobek echoed the mother’s sentiments and asked the court to sentence in accordance with Books’ plea agreement.
Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine said Books is ready to “face the consequences of his terrible decision to spread suffering and change someone’s life for the worst.” He said Books was very remorseful for his actions and requested Books eventually be placed on probation in order to receive treatment through mental health services.
McGrath noted Books’ criminal history and the child’s age as aggravators in the case, saying Books reaped an immense benefit from the plea agreement since he pled guilty to a Level 3 felony versus a Level 1.
On Nov. 29, 2023, law enforcement responded to a sexual assault in Syracuse. A person said they saw Books inappropriately interacting with a child.
According to court documents, during an interview at the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center, the child detailed what Books did to them. They also submitted to an examination at the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center.
Books admitted to inappropriately touching the child.
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