Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content

Michael T. Chaplin

Other Virginia Cases with Perjury or False Accusation
https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/PublishingImages/Augusta_County_VA.jpg
In September 2008, police arrested 24-year-old Michael Chaplin of Churchville, Virginia, for having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

The girl testified at a trial in Augusta County Juvenile and Domestic Court that Chaplin met at a restaurant where they both worked. She said he helped her sneak out of her home several times, and that she and Chaplin had had consensual sex one night. The prosecution produced dozens of text messages between the girl and Chaplin.

Chaplin, who had chosen to have his case decided by a judge without a jury, was convicted of sexual assault in December 2008. He was sentenced to one year in prison.

However, after the trial, his girlfriend's mother came forward and said he had been in her home on that night.

Chaplin's conviction was set aside and in February 2009, he went to trial a second time. He was acquitted by a judge after his girlfriend’s mother testified that Chaplin was at her house on the night the 15-year-old said she and Chaplin had sex.

Report an error or add more information about this case.

Posting Date:  Before June 2012
State:Virginia
County:Augusta
Most Serious Crime:Child Sex Abuse
Additional Convictions:
Reported Crime Date:2008
Convicted:2008
Exonerated:2009
Sentence:1 year
Race/Ethnicity:White
Sex:Male
Age at the date of reported crime:24
Contributing Factors:Perjury or False Accusation
Did DNA evidence contribute to the exoneration?:No