Man's confession leads to jail for sexual abuse

From: The Free Lance-Star, VA - 05 Mar 2003

Man's confession leads to convictions in child-molesting case.

By KEITH EPPS

Confession may be good for the soul, but it didn't do much for a Spotsylvania County man's freedom.

Larry R. More Jr., 39, went to jail yesterday after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual battery and three counts of sodomy.

The investigation into More's molestation of two young girls began at a family gathering in Virginia Beach in April when he told a relative that he had "done something bad."

According to court records, More proceeded to tell in graphic details his actions with the girls, who were well under 10 years old at the time. The molestation went on for more than a year.

More had access to the girls via his relationship with their family, according to records, and started his attacks while the family was living in Prince William County. His actions continued when the family moved to Spotsylvania.

The Spotsylvania charges involve only one of the girls. The incidents involving the other girl occurred outside of the county, prosecutor LaBravia Jenkins said.

In statements to the relative and to police, More said that he had stopped the sexual encounters during the year prior to his confession.

In an interview with Detective Twyla DeMoranville, More said he molested one victim as often as twice a month. More, who is nearly deaf, said through a sign language interpreter that he also fantasized about the child.

More told the detective that after meeting with a minister, he realized that "God would punish him for his actions," according to court records.

More said that although he stopped the abuse, he was tempted to do it again.

In exchange for More's guilty pleas, Jenkins dropped a number of other charges. More will be sentenced at a later date.

Judge J. Peyton Farmer denied a defense motion to allow More to remain free on bond pending sentencing.

Copyright 2003, The Free Lance-Star Publishing Co. of Fredericksburg, Va.