DOB: 05/15/1956

Case Number: 2019 0812 CF

Putnam County Defendant Convicted of Capital Sexual Battery

PALATKA – After a two-day trial and only 26 minutes of deliberation, a Putnam County jury found defendant Lawrence Lacourse guilty as charged of Sexual Battery on Child less than 12 years of age, Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of Child less than 12 years of age, three counts of Sexual Battery on Child 12 years old or older but less than 18 and two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child 12 years old or older but less than 16. Immediately following the verdict, Lacourse was sentenced to mandatory life in prison for the Capital Sexual Battery conviction and designated a Sexual Predator.

The defendant was already designated a Sexual Offender under Florida law when the crimes occurred. He was previously convicted of child sexual abuse charges in Collier County in 1995.

“The defendant is a pedophile who repeatedly raped young child family members. His sexual depravity knows no bounds,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “May his victims find some peace in his convictions and sentences.”

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant State Attorneys Deborah Rothenberg and Alexander Gilewicz successfully tried the case for the state. The Honorable Alicia Washington presided over the case and pronounced sentence.