Invasive touching of an eight-year-old girl brings a six-year prison term for a Lake Havasu City man. The punishment imposed during an April 1 sentencing hearing for Michael Lane, 60, was stipulated in a plea agreement convicting him of the reduced charge of attempted child molestation.
The victim’s mother told the Court that Lane has caused her family much grief.
“This has 100 % ruined my daughter’s life, my son’s life and my life forever,” she said. “Our lives will never be the same. I do not trust anybody with my children.”
Mohave County Superior Court judge Rick Lambert told the defendant that he took advantage of some family challenges to victimize the girl in August, 2016.
“You are a predator Mr. Lane,” Lambert said. “You knew you had the opportunity to take advantage of a little girl, an innocent girl.”
The Judge said the family had no clue or reason to suspect Lane would harm the victim.
“That’s the problem. A lot of predators have no criminal record at all and they’re invisible,” Lambert said.
Defense attorney Gerald Gavin urged the judge to approve the plea deal so the victim would be spared the stress of trial. Lane must serve lifetime probation following release from prison.
