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Virginia man convicted for child incest, rape; allegedly threatened to kill victim

child abuse
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A Virginia man has been convicted of 15 felony charges for sexually abusing a child between 2015 and 2023.

The victim came forward to Norfolk Police last year to report Clark’s abuse despite Clark allegedly threatening to injure and kill the victim.

Laurence Earl Clark, 51, pleaded guilty May 17 to 15 felony charges including:

  • 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
  • two counts of subsequent-offense possessing child abuse material

In exchange for 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 Clark’s plea agreement and set his sentencing for Aug. 2.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.