Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Child Molestation

A 66-year-old man convicted of lewd and lascivious molestation of a 13-year-old boy in May was sentenced to 40 years in prison by a Leon County, FL circuit judge Wednesday following a hearing for a new trial.

The judge dismissed a motion for a new trial even after the alleged victim supposedly wrote a statement a week after the trial ended confessing he lied. Eight witnesses were called to the stand by the defense, including the boy’s friends and family that testified the boy wrote the letter on his own accord.

The defense argued that if the jury had heard the new information they might have decided differently on the case, but the judge disagreed.

The man was found guilty in May of lewd and lascivious molestation, false imprisonment and distributing obscene material to a minor.

Next to dangerous violent crimes, child molestation in the state of Florida carries the greatest risk for long-term prison sentences and lifetime registration as a sexual offender or predator, even if you are a first-time offender. While it is unfortunate, child molestation also poses a huge threat for false accusations, which combined with the public’s hysteria towards child sex crimes, can result in an unjust conviction. False accusations in child molestation cases can arise from a variety of situations including a child’s overactive imagination or because of an adult’s influence.

Sadly, not all child molestation reports are substantiated. If you have been falsely accused of child molestation, the Florida Child Molestation Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can safeguard your best interests and help you fight a false charge.

When you are accused of lewd and lascivious molestation, it is vital your Sex Crimes Defense Attorney scrutinize every detail of the State’s case against you. This process begins by reviewing the prosecution’s discovery submission which should include the victim’s sworn statements as well as a list of witnesses. By catching any inconsistencies or discrepancies in these statements early on, your criminal defense attorney can pin-point any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and formulate a strong defense strategy.

If you are being investigated or have been arrested for child molestation in Leon County or throughout the state of Florida, contact the Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or dial us toll-free at 866-608-5529.