San Diego

A Linda Vista man who helped organize a boys’ club to get teen-agers out of gangs was sentenced Friday to 18 years in state prison and fined $1,400 for molesting many of the boys in the club.

Charles A. Lloyd, 29, pleaded guilty earlier to seven counts of lewd acts with minors, including oral copulation; 78 similar charges were dismissed.

A 15-year-old boy said his mother trusted Lloyd and forced him to attend meetings of the Champs Club, not knowing he was being molested.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Aaron Katz said Lloyd had carried out a “well-thought-out plan” and had persuaded mothers that their sons should join this club as an alternative to being involved in a gang. The victims were 11 to 16 years old.

Lloyd apologized to the boys and their mothers in court.