RICHMOND —
A 45-year-old man who prosecutors say viewed a 12-year-old child as “a girlfriend and potential spouse” pleaded guilty Thursday to several sex crimes.
Paul Michael Sword appeared in Madison Circuit Court with his attorney, Wes Browne, to enter a change of plea. Sword originally was indicted on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse (victim under 12), 10 counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count of using an electronic communications system to procure a minor for sex.
Sword accepted a deal that involved pleading guilty to one count of first-degree sexual abuse (victim under 12) and one count of first-degree sexual abuse, plus the use of an electronic device charge.
Sword could have received a maximum of 20 years in prison if he had been convicted on all the charges. Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Smith recommended a sentence of five years.
However, when it came time for Sword to enter his guilty plea and tell Circuit Judge Jean C. Logue what he had done, Sword balked.
Logue reminded him that she could not accept a plea from someone who did not think he was guilty. Browne asked if he could use leading questions to have Sword make his statement.
“Did you have contact with a minor under the age of 12 for the purpose of sexual gratification?” Browne asked Sword.
Sword started to explain that he had talked to the girl, and Browne cut him off. Finally, Sword said “yes.”
Logue asked how Sword knew the girl. Smith explained that the charges involved one girl, with some of the sexual abuse occurring before she turned 12 and some after. Smith added that Sword had children the same age as the victim, and he also knew her family through his affiliation with the Waco Fire Department.
Logue asked Sword to explain how he had used an electronic device to procure the victim for sexual gratification. Sword said he had texted and messaged the child on Facebook.
“We talked about the future, when she’d turn 18 we’d be together,” Sword said.
“He looked at her as a girlfriend and a potential spouse,” Smith explained to the judge.
Sword is scheduled for formal sentencing Aug. 9. After serving his time in prison, Sword will have to register as a sex offender and also be under a five-year conditional release.
After an investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Sword was arrested Jan. 30, according to the Madison County Detention Center website.
Sword’s bond originally was set at $10,000 cash, but he was released Feb. 3 on 10 percent of $2,500 ($250 cash).
Sarah Hogsed can be reached at shogsed@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.
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Paul Sword
Prosecutor: Man saw child as ‘a girlfriend and potential spouse’
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