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May 14, 2005
Oaklyn man sentenced to 35 years for sex assault on 5 girls
The youngest of Charles Walker's five victims sat in a courtroom in Camden yesterday with her feet barely touching the floor, her hands clutching a white stuffed rabbit, and described the effects of being sexually abused.
"I was just a little girl," the 11-year-old read from a prepared statement. "I didn't deserve it."
Then Superior Court Judge John T. McNeill sentenced Walker to 35 years in prison. The judge called him "cancer on society."
Walker, 43, and his brother, Michael Walker, were arrested in 2003 in a case that prosecutors called "one of the most horrific" instances of child abuse ever in Camden County. At least two of the victims were related to both men.
Michael Walker, 45, of Collingswood, pleaded guilty last year to sexual assault on two victims and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Charles Walker, who lived in Oaklyn, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of sexually assaulting four victims, videotaping a fifth girl, and possessing more than 10,000 images of child pornography. The other victims - all girls - were an 11-year-old, two 15-year-olds, and a 16-year-old. The abuse stretched back several years.
Walker had a previous conviction for sexual assault in Gloucester County and had been placed on the Megan's Law registry for sex offenders.
"As long as this defendant has access to children, he's going to molest them," Assistant Camden County Prosecutor Howard Gilfert said. "It's as simple as that."
Gilfert said Walker videotaped some of his encounters with the victims. The 16-year-old victim said in court that Walker posted the videos on the Internet and told her to perform acts requested by online viewers.
She said she suffers from nightmares and flashbacks, and she fears anyone with a camera.
"Every time I think of the defendant, I get scared and want to cry," she said.
Walker, who offered a brief apology in court, would not be eligible to be released for nearly 30 years, and he could be committed to an institution if he is granted parole.
Gilfert said no punishment would be sufficient.
"The lives of these children and these families will never be completely normal," he said. "Unfortunately, that's the legacy of this man."
Posted by Nealus at May 14, 2005 12:50 PM
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