Suffolk News-Herald

Charlie E. Lister was a church trustee.

The Forest Oak Lane resident led weekly Bible studies at church.

He appeared to be a &uot;God-fearing Christian citizen,&uot; said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Marie Walls. But appearances are deceiving.

All the while, Lister, 56, also was molesting his two stepdaughters, who were 9 and 11 when the abuse began four years ago.

On Monday, Suffolk Circuit Court Judge Carl E. Eason Jr. sentenced Lister to 124 years in prison for molesting the two girls. All but 32 years of the sentence was suspended.

Lister received 25 years for rape; 20 years, forcible sodomy; 14 years, two counts of attempted forcible sodomy; 40 years, two counts object sexual penetration; 15 years, aggravated sexual battery; and 10 years, two counts of indecent liberties.

Eason also ordered lifetime probation for Lister after his release and to have no contact with his stepdaughters.

&uot;You exhibit the characteristics of a pedophile,&uot; said Eason. &uot;You would be a danger to any young child you are around.

&uot;Equally troubling is that somehow you have not been able to acknowledge responsibility for your conduct.&uot;

Even after admitting that he molested the girls, Lister said they initiated the sexual contact with him, Walls said.

Although Lister has never faced criminal charges for sexual abuse, his niece has alleged that he sexually abused her during summers when she was a child, Walls said.

Lister’s stepdaughters are still in therapy at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Walls said.

&uot;The first child must be feeling some guilt for bringing her sister into it,&uot; Walls said.

She said Lister frequently demeaned the girls, telling them they were stupid and that no one loved them.

He also kept them from seeing their grandmother and didn’t allow them to play outside with friends.

Although Walls pushed for a stiffer sentence, Lister’s defense attorney, Del M. Mauhrine Brown, asked for leniency.

&uot;Having faith has helped Mr. Lister,&uot; said Brown, adding that he has started a Bible study since his incarceration last May at Western Tidewater Regional Jail. &uot;While he was out, he was a productive member of society.&uot;