Sex-abuse Suspect Offered Probation Deal

By JAMES H. TOLPIN

A plea deal that does not include jail time has been offered to Boynton Beach cabinetmaker David Allen Lindsey Sr., because it is in the best interest of the two teen-age boys he is charged with sexually abusing, a Palm Beach County prosecutor said on Tuesday.

One of Lindsey`s alleged victims -- his son -- ``is having a hard time with everything,`` Assistant State Attorney Lu Anne Quevedo said.

A guilty plea would make it unnecessary for the teen-agers to have to give depositions in the case or to face Lindsey in court, she said.

She said she has offered to allow Lindsey, 43, to avoid going to trial by pleading guilty to charges of lewd and lascivious conduct and serving 10 years probation.

Lindsey faces one count of sexual battery, three counts of lewd assault and two counts of performing a lewd act.

During the probation, Lindsey would have to undergo psychological counseling and agree never to be in the presence of any child younger than 16 unless the child is supervised by an adult who is aware of the allegations against him.

He would also have to avoid contact with his son and his son`s friend, who is the second victim. Both teen-agers were older than 12 but younger than 18 at the time of the alleged abuse.

Richard Lubin, Lindsey`s attorney, refused to comment on the offer.

Peter Rombous, an attorney for Lindsey`s son, said he approved of the offer because the teen-ager was having a ``very rough time`` coping with his life since he told police his story.

A guilty plea is preferable to a trial in another way, too, Rombous said.

An admission of guilt, he said, would make it easier to collect damages in a civil suit the teen-ager plans to file against Lindsey and the organizations that placed the teen-ager with Lindsey -- the state Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services and the Children`s Home Society in Miami.

Until his arrest on June 2, 1987, Lindsey had been hailed for his contributions to the state`s child-care system. Police said that Lindsey, a bachelor, had 11 foster children and adopted children during the 1970s and 1980s.

Boynton Beach police initially charged him with 18 counts of sexual abuse and accused him of molesting at least five of his adopted and foster sons and one of their friends.

Not long after his arrest, three of Lindsey`s sons recanted their statements to police, telling an investigator for Lindsey`s attorney that Lindsey had not molested them.