The founder of a local theatre troupe has entered a plea on charges of child molestation.
Tamara Tyre entered an Alford plea last Wednesday to one charge of child molestation for having a sexual encounter with a then-14-year-old boy. She was sentenced by Judge William Woodrum to five years in prison and 10 years of probation, with credit or 38 days already served. Tyre also was fined $1,000 and given 125 hours of community service.
Tyre is prohibited from having contact with the victim and the victim’s family.
A count of aggravated child molestation was amended and a charge of cruelty to the children in the first degree was not prosecuted. She was not indicted on charges of sodomy and false imprisonment.
Effingham County Sheriff’s Office investigators said the incident was a “one-time thing” and not a pattern of behavior.
Tyre was indicted on Dec. 1, 2014, and entered a not guilty plea Jan. 27.