PRINCETON, W.Va. — A former Mercer County church volunteer will stay free on bond while awaiting his sentence on nearly three dozen sex-related charges involving children.
Senior Status Judge Charles Vickers denied a motion from prosecutors Friday and refused to revoke bond for Timothy Probert, 57, of Princeton.
Probert pleaded guilty Tuesday to seven counts of first-degree sexual abuse, three counts of third-degree sexual assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault, one count of first-degree sexual assault, 24 counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian and one count of delivery of a controlled substance.
Probert was as youth volunteer at Westminster Presbyterian Church a mentor in the program that sought to eliminate child abuse a neglect. He befriended young boys and abused them on dozens of occasions, many times at his Princeton home.
Assistant Mercer County Prosecutor George Sitler told MetroNews he was disappointed with the judge’s decision.
“It seemed clear that the judge should consider revoking bond. He’s (Probert) admitted guilt. He’s not disputing this. It went on during a 24-year period,” Sitler said.
Judge Vickers didn’t explain his decision and permitted no testimony Friday, Sitler said.
“He did not give any reason for it and did not allow us to develop a record,” Sitler said. “We had witnesses here–some of whom traveled from several hours away to address the court on the question of bond and he chose not to allow us to develop that record.”
There was an emotional outburst in the courtroom Friday following the judge’s decision, Two people were escorted from the courtroom, the Bluefield Daily Telegraph reported. Then one of the victims in the case yelled at Sitler and another assistant prosecutor in the hallway. It’s not surprising, Sitler told MetroNews later.
“For him to have done all of this and continue to be on home confinement outrages a lot of people,” Sitler said.
Mercer County Prosecutor Scott Ash said earlier this week on MetroNews “Talkline” that if the case was before one of the two Mercer County judges Probert’s bond would have been revoked as a matter of routine, but both of those judges took themselves off the case more than a year ago.
“Every judge does things a little bit differently,” Ash said. “We have Senior Judge Vickers who indicated this was not something that was done routinely in his court.”
Probert was arrested in 2013 and it’s been a tough few years in the community since then, Ash said.
“The fact these were people who trusted their children to this man because of his church connection and because of them seeking mentorship with him. That’s very disturbing,” Ash said.
Probert faces from 171-489 years in prison at his sentencing that is expected to be held later this year. There’s no closure for the community yet, Ash said.
“I hope so at least by the time of sentencing,” he said.