“This Man is a Monster”, Says Johnson County Prosecutor About Ex-Franklin Man Convicted of Child Molesting

Source: Johnson County Prosecutor’s Office

FRANKLIN, Ind.–An Alabama man, formerly of Franklin, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for child molesting.

Mark LaPlante was handed that sentence on Friday with an additional 5 years on probation. He had previously been convicted of two counts of child molesting, both as a level 1 and a level 4 felony.

LaPlante also has to register as a sex offender.

The investigation into LaPlante started on February 14, 2022 after the victim reported to a school counselor that LaPlante inappropriately touched her. The victim said that LaPlante had touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions over the course of a three-year period.

The victim also testified at the sentencing hearing.

“A very sincere and hurt child is the strongest evidence there is,” said Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner in a Monday interview after sending out a news release.

Hamner believes it would be very unlikely that LaPlante will get out of prison alive.

“This is a person who belongs in a cage for the better part of the rest of his life. With three decades before he’s even eligible for parole, it will be more than 20 years,” said Hamner.

Hamner said it’s a “reassuring feeling” that LaPante won’t be able to hurt this child or any other child ever again.

“This man is a monster.  He put an innocent, defenseless child through hell for years.  Years.  I greatly appreciate the diligent work of the Franklin police and my deputy prosecutors in winning this conviction,” Hamner concluded.