A former Canton police officer
was sentenced to 15 years in prison last week for gratification of lust
involving a young girl.
Lester Calvin Williams, 66, of
11901 Highway 16 in Benton, is required to serve the full sentence without
possibility of probation, parole, or early release.
According to law enforcement
officials, Williams had molested the child of a woman visiting the state on
June 16, 2013.
"The mother had discovered
text messages between the defendant and Williams and confronted the child about
the text," a release from Madison County District Attorney Michael Guest
stated. "The child informed her mother that she had been inappropriately
touched by Williams."
The Madison Police Department
was contacted by the victim's mother and began an investigation. A forensic
interview was conducted by the Child Advocacy Center and "disclosed the
abuse."
In addition to the young
victim, Madison police identified past victims 30 years ago.
"The victims disclosed
that they had been abused by Williams as young children 30 years ago,"
Guest said.
From there, additional charges
are being filed against Williams in Louisiana for sexual abuse.
"Williams is a true
pedophile who has secretly been molesting children his entire life," Guest
said. "To make Williams' crimes even more heinous was the fact that many
years ago he was a police officer who had taken an oath to serve and protect
the public."
Information on dates Williams
served as a Canton police officer was unavailable.
"Williams is now going to
prison for the next 15 years of his life," Guest said. "This sentence
will assure that he no longer has the opportunity to prey on other
children."