A man was convicted in Norfolk of child sexual abuse of a girl who was in his care for 10 years as per a news release.
On November 15, Lawrence “Trey” White III, 37, received a 25-year prison sentence after being convicted on seven counts of felony child sexual abuse offenses involving a child under his care from 2008 to 2018.
At just 7 years old, the victim relocated to live with White, as her mother sought a better environment for her upbringing.
Reports indicate that White engaged in grooming behavior towards the child, inappropriately touching her, and compelling her to shower with him. The severity of White’s actions against the victim escalated to include attempts of rape, oral sodomy, and nude photography, among other violations. According to a release, White would occasionally encourage the victim by sending her letters, providing financial support, and assuring her of gifts.
The victim endured White’s abuse until the age of 17, when she finally found the strength to seek help.
At the beginning of 2023, upon discovering that White was cohabiting with a girlfriend and her young daughter, the victim reached out to the police in her current city to disclose the sexual abuse she endured during her childhood.
Detectives from the Special Crimes Unit of Norfolk Police conducted interviews with the victim, who was White’s girlfriend at the time, as well as with White himself, who acknowledged a reduced account of his actions. Following the issuance of arrest warrants, detectives in Norfolk apprehended White, while Child Protective Services implemented a safety plan to protect the other young girl from potential abuse by him.
On March 27, White agreed to plead guilty to multiple serious charges involving a victim under 13 years old, including object sexual penetration, forcible sodomy, attempted rape, three counts of aggravated sexual battery, and taking indecent liberties as a custodian.
On Friday, Judge Lindsey handed down a sentence of 25 years in prison for White, while also suspending an additional 65 years. This suspension is contingent upon White adhering to supervised probation and maintaining good behavior for 20 years after his release.