13-year-old girl.
Justin Lincecum, 21, was found guilty of nine counts of the sexual abuse of a minor after a court trial in October.
The Louisiana native, stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, began talking to the girl in early 2008 after meeting her on a paid online dating site, where she claimed to be 18.
When they first met in person, the girl told Lincecum, then 19, that she was only 13.
Lincecum initially “freaked out” at the news, his attorney said at trial, but then decided to date the teen and the relationship eventually became sexual in nature.
The sentence, recommended by probation officials and approved by Superior Court Judge Michael MacDonald, is on the lower end of the five- to 15-year range for a first time sex offender. Lincecum also will be on probation for 10 years and must register as a sex offender for life.
Lincecum’s attorney, James Hackett, argued his client should have been sentenced by a three-judge panel that could have gone below the five-year minimum sentence. Hackett said the case was unusual because the relationship with the teen was consensual and because Lincecum has good prospects for rehabilitation.
Hackett said Lincecum was not a child predator but that he boosted the teen’s confidence and gave her good advice about staying in school and listening to her mother.
“What legislators have done is throw the Justin Lincecum’s of the world in with the predators of the world,” Hackett said.
Many residents of Lincecum’s hometown of Vivian, La., including the chief of police, wrote letters to the judge in support of Lincecum.
Lincecum’s mother and aunt flew to Fairbanks from Louisiana for the sentencing.
“I don’t want to put my son in with real criminals,” said Lincecum’s mother, Camala Davis. “... He doesn’t drink. He doesn’t smoke. He’s a good kid.”
She described Lincecum, the oldest of her five sons, as shy but loyal to his family.
Lincecum spoke briefly at the hearing.
“Your honor, I take full responsibility for everything,” he said.
MacDonald earlier said he was troubled by a written statement from Lincecum, in which he attempted to minimize his conduct and blame the teen.
The prosecution successfully argued that Lincecum was a typical sex offender who took advantage of an immature teenager.
The girl’s mother testified that since the sexual abuse came to light, her daughter has had issues with depression and succeeding in school, among other problems.
“We saw our bubbly, confident, bright-eyed daughter change and become someone else,” she said.
The News-Miner does not identify victims of sexual assault.
Lincecum’s attorney said he might appeal the sentence.
"she is not bubbly, confident, bright-eyed anymore"
The reporting indicates that this came about AFTER it came to light, not before. The story indicates she had trouble in school BEFORE the relationship.
"looking for innocent little girls"
There is nothing from the story or prosecution statements that he came looking for little girls.
You are a typical juror, you find it easy to refer to "facts" that are not in evidence.
tak-em77,
I seriously doubt that statutory rape has much of a stigma to the denizens of prison. In the vernacular it would be said, "old enough to bleed, old enough to breed". I am not saying whether that is right or wrong, I am saying that is the thought process.
One point missed in this discussion: Internet safety!
All of us who are parents need to be mindful of what their kids are doing online. This man had access to a child right in your home!
Do parents monitor their kids' online activities?
Do they password protect their computers?
Do they use parental controls on their computers?
Children are so vulnerable online; it is all of our responsibility to safeguard them, and it starts at home.
Military or not people, he got caught. LMAO.
Yes, she did lie initially, and she is partly responsible as a matter of fact. She is not legally responsible, however, because of her age.
And, even at that, she apparently told him her real age when they met, and he still decided to go ahead with a sexual relationship.
The laws of what used to be called "statutory rape" hove lower penalties because of exactly the kinds of issue you are raising.
That's one of the reasons this is a lower level of sex offense from a forcible rape or sexual assault, where the person did not consent. It's also a lower level offense than if the girl had been under 13, even if she "agreed."
Anyone out there talking with others online should know how much misinformation is put out there, especially about things like age.
It doesnt matter if she lied about her age previous to there meeting. Once she said "Im 13" the meeting should have ended and he should have never contacted her again. There is a major difference in this CRIME and the Sally is a slut statute. In this case she was a minor of an unreasonable age and he was an adult over 3 years older than her. In other cases I have seen in the lower 48, Dadddy and Mommy leave 16yr old Sally at home and her 18 year old boyfirend (Who goes to the same school)and they come home to find that they have had relations. Daddy gets mad and calls the Sherrif and the boyfriend is convicted of Sexual assault in the 3rd degree.
I cannot begin to tell you how many time this situation has happend and is wrong. However, THis peice of dung desearves all that is coming to him in prison. There is no refuge for molesters in prison. I hope the parents of this Girl get her into couseling and take a more active roll in there childs online life. This should be a warning to all the parents out there, make sure you are involved in your childs life, or this could be you.
BTW I am a Former Parole officer that is why I have knowledge of these things.
I find it interesting that his long-time private defense attorney argued: "the case was unusual because the relationship with the teen was consensual."
That is an absurd statement, because it's exactly what he was convicted of! If the teen was not "willing," he would have been charged with sexual assault and he would be looking about about 15 year or more just for starters.
He was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor under a theory that a minor willingly had sex with an adult, at least 4 years older. The law is designed to deter adults - even young ones - from taking advantage of a young girl's immaturity.
So, in the category of sex offenders he was in, he was NOT unusual at all.
I also find it interesting that the defense can make this statement with a straight face:
"Hackett said Lincecum was not a child predator but that he boosted the teen’s confidence and gave her good advice about staying in school and listening to her mother."
Did "listening to her mother" include checking to see if her mother agreed this 13 year old should be having sex with a 19 year old soldier?
It is unfortunate that he did not walk away when he learned her true age; I suspect there were other girls over the age of consent who would have also agreed to have sex with him. The fact that he did not make that choice leaves him labeled as a sex offender for life.
Young men out there.... pay attention! Is it worth it?????
I feel sorry for the parents who probably thought they had successfully raised their son and were proud of his military career. Now he'll have trouble finding a job for most of his life.
Why, he is a criminal
he knew sex with a 13 year old was wrong, yet he went ahead and pursued it anyways