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Local News

October 12, 2008

Dead inmate faced up to 50 years on sex charges

Karen Brady

William Lawrence West, 38, of Mustang, who was found dead in his cell at the Grady County Jail on Wednesday, had pleaded guility earlier this year in Oklahoma City to 10 counts of making child pornography.

According to the indictment doled out by a federal grand jury, West allegedly coerced two girls, one about 12, the other about 15, to engage in sexually explicit conduct between December, 2006 and February, 2007.

Canadian County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hesse said on Friday that West had pleaded guilty to federal charges, but was awaiting the outcome of a sentencing investigation to determine the proper sentence for his crimes.

West faced up to 50 years in prison on the federal charges.

In addition, West also faced five counts of child sexual abuse involving two girls in Canadian County. Hesse said the abuse allegedly went on for about three years, from 2004 to 2007, shortly before West’s arrest.

According to court papers, West was charged after one of the girls told a teacher West was abusing her.

In addition, according to Mustang Police Officer James Davis, investigators learned West received a bad conduct discharge from the U. S. Air Force after being convicted of possessing obscene materials involving minors and impeding an investigation. West was reportedly imprisoned for six months before being discharged.

The OSBI is investigating the death which appears to have been a suicide. Unconfirmed reports say West was found with a commisary bag over his head and a sheet wrapped around his neck about 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

The OSBI is expected to submit its report to the district attorney.

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