CHIPLEY – Ronald Gene Hawkins was sentenced to Life in prison Tuesday for Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a child less than 12 years of age, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson, who presided over the Sept. 24 trial, also designated the defendant as a sexual offender. 6-person jury found the 69-year-old defendant guilty after Washington County Chief Prosecutor Megan Ford proved he molested the child during summer visits.
“The victim bravely testified at trial and testified at sentencing how this Defendant impacted her childhood and continues to impact her into adulthood,” Ford said. “This wasn’t a singular incident and there wasn’t a singular victim, today’s sentence sends a powerful message that predatory behavior will be met with the strongest consequences under the law.”
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At the trial, the victim testified to what had occurred in the home several summers ago. Years later, the prospect of returning to the area prompted her to disclose what had happened.
The jury also heard testimony from another witness concerning a separate incident involving the defendant. The court instructed jurors on how they could consider that evidence. Jurors returned with a verdict after 90 minutes of deliberation.
Basford thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for its work on the case.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454. court instructed jurors on how they could consider that evidence. Jurors returned with a verdict after 90 minutes of deliberation.
Basford thanked the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for its work on the case.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.