Man faces child sex abuse charge
Man faces child sex abuse charge
5/11/2011 7:06:28 AM
By D.E. SMOOT
Muskogee Daily Phoenix & Times Democrat
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — A Cherokee County man accused of having sex with his 16-year-old daughter appeared in court Tuesday on one count of child sexual abuse.
Stacey Begay, 46, was arrested April 21 after Cherokee County deputies responded to a report of domestic violence at a home southwest of Tahlequah.
His wife, Terry Begay, 45, also was arrested on two complaints of assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Deputy Preston Oosahwee said Terry Begay fired four shots from a 9 mm pistol toward her husband and one shot toward her daughter after finding the pair in a compromising situation.
The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges against Terry Begay. First Assistant District Attorney Jack Thorp said the possible case against her “lacked prosecutorial merit.”
“There is no indication she intended to shoot them — she shot to stop them,” Thorp said Tuesday. “It’s my understanding there were no injuries, and basically, it would make her a defendant in a case where she is expected to be a witness.”
According to reports provided by the sheriff’s office, Terry Begay told investigators she could not remember when or how she got the pistol, but she did remember hearing a gunshot.
Oosahwee said when he arrived at the Begay residence April 21, Terry Begay answered the door and advised the deputy there were no problems at the residence. Stacey Begay, Oosahwee said, then came to the door and said his wife had shot at him with a pistol.
When Oosahwee entered the home, he found the 16-year-old girl visibly shaken. Other deputies arrived at the Begay home a short time later.
In a statement prepared in the case, Sheriff’s Investigator Kathy Young said Stacey Begay admitted having sex with the teenager since December.
According to the Cherokee County Court Clerk’s Office, Stacey Begay is free on $15,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear at 9 a.m. July 11 for a preliminary sounding docket. A preliminary hearing date should be set at that time.