In a Provo, Utah court this afternoon, Keith Brown, the patriarch of the piano quintet known as The 5 Browns, entered a surprise guilty plea on charges that he sexually molested the group's three adult sisters – Desirae, 32, Deondra, 30, and Melody, 26 — when they were children, reports the Salt Lake City Tribune.
Brown's plea deal covers three offenses — one count first-degree felony sodomy upon a child and two counts of second-degree felony sexual abuse of a child. Sentencing isn't until March, but the agreement calls for Brown, 55, to spend 10 years to life in prison.
The 5 Browns decided to go public with their painful family secret on Wednesday.
"We can confirm that Keith Brown has been charged with sexual abuse involving his daughters," a spokesman for The 5 Browns said in a statement. "The 5 Browns wish to thank their friends and supporters for their concern and prayers on their behalf during this trying time."
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According to documents filed last week in Utah's 4th District Court, the charges indicate that Keith engaged in sexual conduct with a minor under the age of 14 between November 1990 and October 1992. It also alleges he sexually abused a child between March 1997 and March 1998.
A source close to the sisters says the trio decided to alert the authorities after recently discovering that Keith, who managed the quintet until 2008, planned to manage a new crop of child musicians.
Despite the shocking announcement, The 5 Browns have decided to honor their upcoming tour schedule; the quintet is scheduled to perform in Logan, Utah, on February 28 and March 1.
"One of the greatest sources of joy and satisfaction in each of their lives is the opportunity to share their favorite music together, and with fellow music lovers throughout the world," their rep said.
