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Child molester gets life sentence

A confessed child molester received a life sentence in 115th District Court Tuesday.

Kevin Laferney entered a plea of guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 14.

“Based upon his plea of guilty and with consent of all victims and their families, the State agreed to offer a life sentence,” said Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd.

“This sentence means Kevin Laferney, age 41, must serve 30 consecutive years before becoming eligible for parole,” Byrd said. He said that this plea also ensured there will be no appeal, because it was a plea bargain with the state.

It also prevented witnesses who are minors from the necessity of testifying, he said.

Judge Lauren Parish handed down the sentence.

Had Laferney gone to trial and been convicted, he could have received up to four stacked life sentences.

Early in 2007, Laferney’s truck was found at a roadside park on Hwy. 155 just north of Big Sandy. Initial appearance indicated possible foul play, which was quickly ruled out, Byrd said.

Another investigation began as to the whereabouts of the defendant. Eventually, in August, 2007, Laferney was found in Montana under an assumed name and taken into custody by United States Marshals on multiple bond forfeiture warrants as a fugitive from justice.

Byrd said that the tip that ultimately led to his arrest came from the defendant’s father, Othell Laferney, who told Upshur County investigators where they could find his son after intense questioning as to his son’s whereabouts and the possibility of facing criminal charges.

“Since the initial outcry in this case, the victim’s family has waited patiently to allow the justice system to work,” Byrd said. “Many of the victim’s family were present during the plea and addressed the defendant through victim impact statements after sentence was handed down.”

The defendant had been indicted for two cases of aggravated sexual assault of a child against the same minor girl, but on separate offense dates, Byrd said. There was also one indictment for sexual assault of a child between 14 and 17 and one indictment for indecency with a child by sexual contact.

“The defendant admitted his guilt in all these cases before the court, and all these cases were considered within the sentence of life,” Byrd said.

He said that a great deal of work and resources were committed to bring this sex offender to the bar of justice. “Credit for successful prosecution rests with Roxanne Warren, former investigator for Upshur County who is now with the Gilmer Police Department, Chase Mullins, Freddie Fitzgerald and other investigators of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office,” Byrd said.

“I hope this sentence confirms our responsibility and dedication in protecting the children of Upshur County,” he said.

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