A white former sheriff's deputy in Tennessee struck a deal with prosecutors, allowing him to avoid jail and the sex offender registry for repeatedly raping a 14-year-old girl over the span of 20 months between 2016 and 2018.
Brian Beck, 47, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault earlier this month in a deal with prosecutors, according to the Shelby County District Attorney's Office. The judge overseeing the case revoked the typical four year prison sentence and instead ordered Beck to spend three years on probation. Beck will have to complete 150 hours of community service and have no contact with the victim.
Court documents obtained by Law & Crime provide insight on the judge's decision, stating that, "the defendant is not likely again to engage in criminal course of conduct" and that "the ends of justice and the welfare of society do not require that the Defendant shall presently suffer the penalty imposed by law by incarceration."
Shelby County, Tennessee is the same place where a Black woman was sentenced to six years in prison for registering to vote.
Pamela Moses was handed down a multi-year prison sentence in February after attempting to regain her voting rights in 2019 after a prior felony conviction. Various state officials admitted to missteps that led to Moses facing legal consequences, that include a jail sentence –– something a former cop avoided for the repeated rape of a teenage girl.
On top of all it, Beck's original bail was set at $125,000 but was lowered to $90,000, which he posted in 2018. The trial had been delayed for years and ultimately led to Beck avoiding prison and sex offender's list.
According to the outlet, prosecutors decreased one of the rape counts Beck was facing to aggravated assault and dropped both counts of sexual battery in the plea deal, which is allowed under Tennessee law. A grand jury had originally indicted Beck on four counts, which carried a maximum prison sentence of 90 years, had he been found guilty at trial.
Reading about trauma can have an impact on your mental health. If you or someone you know need immediate mental health help, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. These additional resources are also available:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The National Alliance on Mental Illness 1-800-950-6264
The Association of Black Psychologists 1-301-449-3082
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America 1-240-485-1001
The National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
For more mental health resources, click HERE.
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