BEDFORD – Special Judge Larry Blanton sentenced Zachary Martin to three years and 325 days in the Indiana Department of Correction but then suspended the sentence Tuesday in Lawrence County Superior Court II.
Martin will spend six months on house arrest and have no contact with the victim. He was ordered to pay $185 in courtcost and a $50 safe schools fee in full by November 15, 2022. He will serve two years on supervised probation followed by a year of unsupervised probation. Martin was given credit for his time served.
Martin was convicted by a jury on March 21, 2022 on one count of child molestation – fondling or touching a child under the age of 14 and escorted to jail. He was incarerated until his sentencing.
Those that testified on behalf of Martin during the sentencing hearing Tuesday, all believed Martin did not commit the crime but did respect the jury’s decision.
The victim did not wish to testify during the hearing sentence.
Deputy Prosecutor Allison Chopra said Martin was not remorseful about the crime and requested the to court sentence Martin to a prison term of 8 years due to the aggravating circumstances in the case.
Judge Blanton did warn Martin if he violates his terms and conditions of probation he will serve the remaining sentence behind bars.
