By Christina M. Wright
The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. —
The mother of a 14-year-old girl who a volunteer firefighter pleaded guilty to fondling last year read a four-page letter Monday to the man she said has changed the teenager’s life forever.
“What you did will affect every relationship the rest of her life, with every family member, every friend, every boyfriend and stranger,” the mother read at a sentencing hearing Monday. “You have gave her a life sentence. You are a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Madison County Judge Dennis Carroll gave former Capt. Larry “Scott” Pearson, 32, a 15-year sentence — 10 years to be served in prison and five on probation.
According to court records, Pearson pleaded guilty to two felony counts of sexual misconduct with a minor in early August.
Police reports said Pearson, a member of the Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department, admitted almost a year ago to fondling the 14-year-old girl at least twice and sending her nude photographs.
Pearson reportedly resigned from the fire department on the day of his arrest.
The case gained media attention because Pearson had been allowed to join the department despite his conviction in 2007 of possessing child pornography.
At the time of the 2009 allegations, Richland Fire Chief Bryan Frank defended his decision to allow Pearson to serve as a firefighter. He said he carefully reviewed the decision. But, after the sexual misconduct charges, he reconsidered it.
“Obviously, my level of forgiveness and grace and mercy has come back to bite me,” Frank said at the time.
On Monday, the teenager’s mother said her daughter has endured public scrutiny and has had to attend so many counseling sessions that she missed “a lot of school.” The girl’s personality has changed as well, the letter said.
“(She) changed her hair color and hid behind makeup,” the mother said in the letter. “She began to cuss and make sexual comments about people. She lost all trust in everyone!”
The mother reminded Pearson of how he presented himself as a friendly man who wanted to see the teenager succeed, offering to help her become a fire cadet. The letter the woman read told of Pearson being allowed into the family’s home, though he hadn’t revealed his past.
“Scott, we all trusted you,” she read. “You have known our family for many years. You knew we rarely trusted anyone, but you convinced us you were different.”
She ended the letter with a declaration: “I honestly hope you rot in prison for what you have done!”
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
