Man convicted of molesting child sentenced to 25 years

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man convicted of lewd or lascivious molestation on a child victim was sentenced Thursday afternoon, state attorneys said.

Joseph Padgett, 22, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of sex offender probation, for one count of lewd or lascivious molestation.

In December 2012, a girl was playing outside with other children when Padgett drove up in his car.

Padgett got out and began digging through some sticks on the ground as he moved closer to the victim. State attorneys said Padgett then grabbed the girl inappropriately.

When the girl threatened to tell her mother, Padgett got back into his car and fled the scene, according to state attorneys.

Padgett was convicted of the charge in July.