Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 15, 1994 TAG: 9406160020
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Earl Ray Eubank, 58, was sentenced by Roanoke County Circuit Judge Kenneth Trabue to 40 years behind bars, with 24 suspended.
In what many believe to have been one of the oldest sexual abuse cases to be prosecuted in the county, Eubank was convicted in mid-March on one count of rape and five counts of carnal knowledge.
Eubank was tried for molesting the sisters, who were 12 and 14 when they were first molested, from 1971 to 1974, while they lived across the street from him.
According to Commonwealth's Attorney F.W. "Skip" Burkart, Dr. Isaac VanPatten testified Monday that Eubank was a "situational child molester." This means Eubank is not likely to seek out children, but in the right situation - being in proximity to pre-teen girls - he would likely molest again.
Burkart said the younger sister had tried to tell family members and others about the three years of abuse, but to no avail. About one year ago, she contacted Detective Debbie Hogan, who then approached Eubank about the allegations.
Eubank admitted to some of the charges, but denied the extent of the abuse with both girls.
- Staff report
by CNB