LYMAN MAN RECEIVES 16-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR SEX ASSAULT

A Lyman man received a 16-year prison sentence today for sexually assaulting a little girl.

Steven Roberts, 35, was found guilty of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and lewd act on a minor at the conclusion of a two-day jury trial. He will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Ferrell Cothran’s prison sentence before he is eligible for release. The defendant will also have his name added to the Sex Offender Registry.

The victim was 7-years-old when the crime was reported to sheriff’s deputies. The victim described multiple assaults in detail during a forensic interview with the Children’s Advocacy Center. The victim also testified during the trial.

“The victim in this case is a hero,” Assistant Solicitor Jennifer Jordan said. “She courageously described the horrible things that we done to her.”