State Attorney John Durrett announces that a jury found Lucas Hodge guilty on April 25, 2023, of three counts of sexual battery upon a child under 12 years of age. The Honorable David W. Fina sentenced Hodge to three life sentences all running concurrently with each other at a hearing held June 12, 2023. Prior to sentencing, the Court heard statements from the Victim as well as the stepfather of another victim of the Defendant.
The jury determined Hodge sexually battered the Victim on multiple occasions spanning multiple years in the early 2000’s. The case involved not only the testimony of the named Victim, but also the testimony of two other Victims whom Hodge had committed sexual offenses against as well.
The case was investigated primarily by Captain Jason Rountree of the Live Oak Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Melissa Blackwell, with the assistance of Assistant State Attorney Amanda Radloff.
