Joseph Tyler Klatt, 29, pleaded guilty yesterday to Second Degree Forcible Sexual Offense in Buncombe County Superior Court. The charge was in connection with an incident involving a victim under the legal age of consent in North Carolina.
Sentencing Details
Following the guilty plea, Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg handed down an active prison sentence. Klatt was sentenced to a minimum of 60 months (5 years) and a maximum of 132 months (11 years) in the custody of the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
Klatt received credit for the 901 days he had already served in pretrial confinement. In addition to the active prison term, Klatt was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
Investigation and Resolution
The case originated with an investigation by the Black Mountain Police Department. Officers responded to a residence where the minor victim and her family were present, and the investigation ultimately determined that Klatt had committed sexual acts against the victim.
The Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that it consulted with the victim and the victim's family throughout the legal process, in accordance with the state’s Victims’ Rights Act. All parties involved agreed that the guilty plea and the resulting sentence were an appropriate resolution to the case.
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Image: Buncombe County DA