Man sentenced to 20-year term in sodomy case

RUSSELLVILLE -- A Spruce Pine man has pleaded guilty to sodomizing a 10-year-old girl.

A Franklin County grand jury had charged 29-year-old Jason William Lacireno with first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree sodomy.

Lacireno, of 964 Franklin 22, entered a best-interest plea, meaning he believed investigators had enough evidence to support their claims, court officials said. He did not admit wrongdoing, though.

First-degree sodomy is a Class A felony and carries a punishment of 10 years to life in prison.

Lacireno was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 37 months to serve.

Authorities said that Lacireno is originally from Canada and came to the United States about five years ago to meet someone he had been communicating with on the Internet.

Lacireno was arrested in May after being accused of inappropriately touching and having deviant sexual intercourse with the child, authorities said.

The abuse reportedly occurred several times between last December and May.

Investigators said the child told family members that she had been abused and they contacted the sheriff's office.

The Franklin County Department of Human Resources was called to help investigate the allegations.

Investigators said Lacireno admitted his involvement while being questioned.

"It's always a tragic situation when an adult takes advantage of a child in this way," said Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing.

"I hope this sends a message to people who do these types of things. This should be an example of the consequences that you could face."

Jonathan Willis can be reached at 332-0140 or jonathan.willis@timesdaily.com.