sexual assault Archives - Larry Basford

CHIPLEY – A Washington County jury found Ronald Gene Hawkins guilty of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation on a child less than 12 years of age following a trial involving the molestation of a child during summer visits.

Chief Circuit Court Judge Christopher Patterson set sentencing for Nov. 3. The defendant, 69, faces up to Life in prison.

The victim bravely 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.

“We are grateful to the victims for their courage in testifying and to the jury for its careful attention to the evidence,” said Washington County Chief Prosecutor Megan Ford.

The jury deliberated for 90 minutes before returning its verdict.

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.

A man who drove a 15-year-old girl from Tallahassee, and then sexually assaulted her after he provided her with alcohol and methamphetamine, was found guilty of Lewd and Lascivious Battery Thursday.

State Attorney Larry Basford said Roger Dale Ledbetter Jr., 57, of Tallahassee, will be sentenced Nov. 3 by Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay who presided over the trial.

Prosecutor Morgan McAfee only needed two witnesses: the victim and lead investigator Carl Fondren of the BCSO. The victim testified the defendant got permission to take her to Panama City Beach in 2024. She said along the way they stopped and the defendant bought alcohol for mixed drinks, which they both drank.

She said the defendant also had some methamphetamine, which he used. He told her where it was and that she could try it if she wanted. He then showed her how to prepare and smoke it. Later that night he sexually assaulted her and the following day they returned to Tallahassee.

The victim said she did not report it immediately because she was ashamed.

“I didn’t know what people would think of me,” she testified. “I didn’t want to share my whole story with the adults around. I was unsure if it went to court, how it would work out.”

Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for the work put into the investigation that helped lead to a guilty verdict.

For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.

Tag: sexual assault

JURY: Man Guilty of Molesting Child

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