Child Molester Pleads And Is Sentenced

Prosecutors agreed on Monday to drop 26 of the 28 counts against David Abston.  In exchange, Abston was sentenced to the maximum for both of the remaining counts.  He'll serve two life sentences at the same time as his 30 year federal sentence for child pornography.  The News On 6's Ashli Sims reports Tulsa County's District Attorney calls Abston one of the most extensive pedophile predators he's ever seen.

Compared to another high profile Tulsa child molester, Abston seems to have gotten a lighter sentence.  But in fact he'll likely serve more time.

The families of some of David Abston's victims filed into court to learn the fate of the man who pretended to be a friend, but turned out to be a predator.

"My son he looked up to David and it crushed him," said Angie, Mother of Victim.

Angie says her son met David Abston when he was just 8-years-old.  He was supposed to go to Abston's house the same weekend the former skating rink owner was arrested.

"And then that's when the news came on and he seen it. And I looked at him and I said, 'Son, has David ever done any of this stuff to you?' And he said, 'No, mom. David's my friend,'" said Angie.

Angie's son handed her a letter the next day, detailing Abston's abuse.

Police believe Angie's son was one of 19 boys the skating rink owner manipulated and sexually abused over 20 years.

The 59-year-old cut a deal with prosecutors and was sentenced to two life sentences that will run at the same time as his 30 year federal sentence.  It's actually a lighter sentence than another high profile Tulsa child molester, Brett Webber.

Webber, a former Bishop Kelley coach and teacher, was convicted in 1995 of 25 felony charges, involving seven young boys.  A jury originally sentenced him to three life terms plus 385 years, but an appeals court reduced that to life plus 20 years.

Webber was sentenced before state laws required an offender to serve 85% of his sentence.

So according to the department of corrections website, he's eligible for parole in 2010, after only 15 years in prison.

Abston will have to serve a minimum of 38 years, keeping him behind bars well into his 90s.

Angie says she was pleased he got life, but it doesn't restore the lives he's changed forever.

"He wasn't sorry, when he said he was sorry. He said that because the judge told him to say it. He had no remorse whatsoever," said Angie.

Abston's attorney says that his client is remorseful.  But he's a shy man and he couldn't express that in a courtroom full of people.