|
                    
| |
James Welles
Former LCHS
American History Teacher
 
James C. Welles
Federal Inmate Number 29498-034
Sonya Kimbrell,
The Advocate
www.lakecountybanner.com
A former Lake County High School history teacher and Louisiana State
University associate dean was sentenced in federal court Thursday, Aug.
3, to 15 years and one month in prison for a
child-pornography conviction.
James C. Welles, 61, had pleaded guilty in June 2005 to one count of
transporting child pornography and two counts of possession of child
pornography. He was sentenced to 181 months on the first count and
151 months on the second and third counts, to be served at the same
time.
Because of a previous pornography conviction, his sentence was
enhanced.
Welles taught history at Lake County High School from the
mid-sixties until April 27, 1981, when he was arrested on charges of
grand larceny. During a three-and-a-half-day trial in
Tiptonville in January, 1983, he was found guilty on one count of
concealing stolen property over $200. He eventually served six months in
the Dyer County Jail and his teaching career in Lake County was over.
In 1987, the three-story frame house where he lived in Tiptonville
burned to the ground under mysterious circumstances.
It was one of the largest fires in Tiptonville history and was
investigated as arson. No charges were ever filed.
Welles was arrested in April 2005 by LSU Police on a state count of
child pornography possession after a student worker reported finding a
five-page printout containing photographs of nude boys in the offices
where Welles worked.
The FBI was brought into the investigation to see if federal charges
were warranted. An investigation of Welles’ homes in Baton Rouge and New
Orleans uncovered more than 27,000 images of children engaged in
sexual acts.
Welles initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to
guilty. LSU fired Welles from his position as associate dean of judicial
affairs in May 2005.
Welles, handcuffed and wearing an orange jumpsuit, spoke
before Judge James J. Brady handed down the sentence.
Alluding to some type of childhood abuse, Welles asked for
forgiveness and for the opportunity to redeem himself.
His voice wavered as he talked.
“There’s no justification for what I’ve done. I’ve brought shame on
myself and my family and destroyed my career. If I could undo it, I
would,” he said.
James Manasseh, one of Welles’ attorneys, argued against sentence
enhancement because of Welles’ age and because there’s no indication
Welles has ever actually harmed a child or gained financially from his
actions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Amundson argued that Welles’
previous offense in New York involved 90 images of child pornography.
“He’s saying all the right things, but his actions belie his
words. He’s not a first-time offender,” Amundson said.
Brady did not impose restitution or a fine for Welles, although he will
be required to pay a $300 court assessment fee. When Welles serves his
sentence, he will be released under supervision.
(Evan Jones, editor of The Lake County Banner contributed to this
story.)
 |
|
