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COURTS Teen gets probation after sexually abusing girl Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 2:21 PM Updated Aug 18, 2016 at 6:35 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 2:21 PM Updated Aug 18, 2016 at 6:35 PM » Social News A Medford teen was handed a probation sentence Thursday after previously admitting he sexually abused a teen girl at a party. James Robert Taylor, 19, of the 1200 block of Quail Hollow Drive, was sentenced to three years of probation Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court for an October 2014 incident in which he had sexual intercourse with an intoxicated teen after she tried to stop him. Christine Kantas Herbert, Taylor's court-appointed attorney, asked Circuit Judge Lorenzo Mejia Thursday to spare her client the requirement of sex-offender registration, calling it a "burden" for someone so early into his adult life. She said her client was only two years older than the victim. Mejia studied paperwork in the case for several minutes before reluctantly siding with Herbert. Mejia said he considered the victim's perspective, and called Taylor's actions "very serious." "It's a close call, but I'm not going to make you register as a sex offender," Mejia said. In an email late Thursday to the Mail Tribune, Mejia said he decided not to make Taylor register as a sex offender based on a specific statute, which allowed for no-registration as an option in a case of second-degree sexual abuse, to which Taylor pleaded guilty Aug. 8. Mejia said probation was appropriate because Taylor's seven months in jail was far longer than the 30 days recommended in Oregon sentencing guidelines. Taylor had been lodged in jail from Dec. 18 until his release Aug. 8. Mejia said there was no proof in terms of sworn testimony that Taylor used any force, "nor did he plead to or admit the use of force." Deputy District Attorney Zori Cook, who prosecuted the case, said the victim had consumed large amounts of alcohol and marijuana, incapacitating her as Taylor engaged in sexual intercourse with her. During intercourse, the victim awoke and realized that Taylor wasn't her boyfriend and tried to stop him. "She tried to get him to stop and couldn't," Cook said. Taylor declined to speak during sentencing, and the victim didn't appear for the hearing. Taylor had faced additional charges of first-degree rape and an unrelated first-degree burglary charge, which prosecutors dismissed as part of his plea agreement. Taylor was ordered to pay restitution estimated at $3,251 for burglarizing a home in the 4700 block of Coleman Creek Road, which Cook said stemmed from staying with a group of kids at that home while the owner was traveling. He was ordered to undergo sex offender evaluation, to violate no laws and to undergo HIV and DNA testing. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Aug. 18, 2016 at 2:21 PM Updated Aug 18, 2016 at 6:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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