INMAN MAN RECEIVES 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR CHILD SEX ASSAULTS

An Inman man received a 20-year prison sentence today after he admitted to sexually abusing two boys that were left in his care.

Steven J. Leverett, 40, pleaded guilty to first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The assaults occurred on multiple occasions between March 2, 2002 and June 7, 2005 when a relative of the children reported the crime to the Sheriff’s Office. The victims, who were 9 and 12-years-old at the time of the crime, described the sex acts in detailed interviews with sheriff’s deputies and Childrens’ Advocacy Center specialists.

The victims appeared in court for the guilty plea.

“The children are making remarkable progress in their recovery from this heinous crime,” Assistant Solicitor Jennifer Jordan said. “They showed a lot of courage today by simply appearing in court.”

Leverett will serve 85 percent of the prison sentence before he is eligible for release. He will also have his name added to the Sex Offender Registry. The defendant’s prior criminal record included a conviction for attempted armed robbery.

For more information, contact Murray Glenn at 809-4892.