Homosassa man sentenced to 25 years/lifetime probation for sexual assault of a child
On January 22, 2020, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) was contacted by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) in reference to a past sexual assault of a juvenile. A CCSO School Resource Deputy, along with a DCF investigator, made contact with the juvenile victim, who disclosed that Lawrence Hunt had sexually assaulted ze (him or her) numerous times.
Detective Tiffany Barry with the CCSO Special Victims Unit (SVU) began an investigation in which she discovered evidence that supported the victim's allegations. During an interview with Detective Barry, Hunt made statements that confirmed the victim's allegations of past sexual assaults.
After the interview, Hunt was placed under arrest, charged with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of sexual battery of a person younger than the age of 12. He was held at the Citrus County Detention Facility, without bond, while he awaited trial.
The victim, who was later interviewed by the Child Protection Team at Citrus County's Child Advocacy Center ("Jessie's Place"), provided additional details of sexual abuse that spanned an eight year time period that began when the victim was just four years old. On March 12, 2021, Hunt pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted sexual battery of a child under the age of 12, one count of sexual battery of a child under the age of 18, and one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child uder the age of 12.
"With this sentence, we have the opportunity to watch justice being served in a case where an innocent child was so grossly exploited," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "The tireless work of individuals like Detective Barry, as well as the teams at the Department of Children and Families and Jessie's Place, is immeasurably important in giving these victims back the control of their lives so they can begin to heal. Great work to all those involved in this case."