Watkinsville man charged with aggravated child molestation gets probation in plea bargain

By Joe Johnson

A Watkinsville man who faced aggravated child molestation and related charges was recently sentenced to probation as part of a plea deal in which serious felony charges were dropped.

According to Superior Court records, Ethan Jericho Klein on Jan. 26 pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of statutory rape.

In return for the guilty plea, the Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez dismissed charges of aggravated child molestation, sexual exploitation of children, and internet solicitation for sex of a child.

Klein, 23, was sentenced to five years on probation.