Trigger Warning: Child Sexual Abuse

Man Sentenced to 30 Years for 15 Felony Child Sexual Abuse Charges After Abusing Child Over 8-Year Period

NORFOLK, Va. — Laurence Earl Clark, 51, was sentenced on Friday to serve 30 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 15 felony child sexual abuse charges for abusing a child relative over a period of eight years. The victim came forward to Norfolk Police last year to report Mr. Clark’s abuse despite Mr. Clark threatening to injure and kill the victim.

On May 17, Mr. Clark pleaded no contest, pursuant to the rule in North Carolina v. Alford, to five counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child, one count of incest with a child, two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, one count of raping a child, three counts of producing child sexual abuse material (also known as “child pornography”), one count of first-offense possession of child sexual abuse material, and two counts of subsequent-offense possession of child abuse material. Mr. Clark agreed to be sentenced by a judge to serve a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise, having convicted Mr. Clark on his earlier plea, sentenced Mr. Clark on Friday to serve 30 years in prison and suspended an additional 150 years on the conditions that Mr. Clark complete 15 years of supervised probation following his release and comply with all recommended sex offender treatments and registry requirements.

“We are all grateful to the survivor of Mr. Clark’s abuse for so bravely coming forward and telling of the abuse she suffered at Mr. Clark’s hands,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “This teenager showed more courage than many full-grown adults. Despite the threats of violence Mr. Clark made, the victim sought help, helped us hold Mr. Clark accountable, and protected others from Mr. Clark in the future.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Abigail L. Ottinger prosecuted Mr. Clark’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Jason E. Myers led the investigation.

If you have or someone you love has fallen victim to crime, including but not limited to child abuse, resources are available at the Norfolk Family Justice Center. For more information, please visit norfolkfjc.org, call 757-330-0376 or stop by the NFJC inside the Park Place Multi-Services Center at 606 W. 29th St., between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. If you are in crisis, call the 24/7 hotline by dialing 757-251-0144. In an emergency, please call 911.

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May 17, 2024

Trigger Warning: Child Sexual Abuse

Man Convicted of 15 Felony Child Sexual Abuse Charges

Correction: An earlier version of this announcement said that Mr. Clark pleaded guilty to his charges. He pleaded no contest.

NORFOLK, Va. – Laurence Earl Clark, 51, was convicted of 15 felony charges on Friday after he admitted to sexually abusing a child between 2015 and 2023. The victim came forward to Norfolk Police last year to report Mr. Clark’s abuse despite Mr. Clark threatening to injure and kill the victim.

Mr. Clark pleaded no contest, pursuant to the rule in North Carolina v. Alford, to five counts of aggravated sexual battery of a child, one count of incest with a child, two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child, one count of raping a child, three counts of producing child sexual abuse material, one count of first-offense possessing child sexual abuse material, and two counts of subsequent-offense possessing child abuse material.

In exchange for Mr. Clark’s plea, which spared the victim from having to testify at trial, the Commonwealth agreed to seek a sentence no longer than 30 active years of incarceration. Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise accepted Mr. Clark’s plea agreement, found him guilty, and set his sentencing on Aug. 2.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Abigail L. Ottinger is prosecuting Mr. Clark’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Jason E. Myers led the investigation.

If you have or someone you love has fallen victim to crime, including but not limited to child abuse, resources are available at the Norfolk Family Justice Center. For more information, please visit norfolkfjc.org, call 757-330-0376 or stop by the NFJC inside the Park Place Multi-Services Center at 606 W. 29th St., between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. If you are in crisis, call the 24/7 hotline by dialing 757-251-0144. In an emergency, please call 911.

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