Putnam County, FL – A 69-year-old registered sex predator will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child under 12, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said Lawrence Lacourse was sentenced Wednesday to two life terms following a two-day trial. The jury took only 26 minutes to deliberate before returning the guilty verdict.
According to investigators, Lacourse sexually assaulted a child between 2015 and 2019, threatening to post nude photos online if the victim told anyone. The case came to light when the child confided in a friend, who then alerted law enforcement.
Lacourse was convicted on multiple counts, including sexual battery of a child under 12 and lewd and lascivious molestation of minors under 16. Because the crimes occurred before Florida’s law change allowing capital punishment in such cases, prosecutors could not pursue the death penalty.
Authorities noted that Lacourse had a prior conviction for child sexual abuse in Collier County in 1995 and was already listed as a registered sexual predator.
Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach praised the verdict, saying the outcome ensures Lacourse “will never be free again.” He credited State Attorney R.J. Larizza and the 7th Judicial Circuit for pursuing justice, adding: “We must protect our children and make this county a less hospitable place for predators.”
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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