Franklinton man gets 20 years in prison for rape of girl, 14

Published 3:17 pm Tuesday, February 27, 2018

District Attorney Warren Montgomery reported Tuesday afternoon that Michael J. Fox, 53, of Franklinton, pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree rape for raping a 14-year-old girl. District Judge Alan Zaunbrecher sentenced Fox to 20 years in prison and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

Fox had been doing handyman work for the victim’s family in June 2016, when Fox asked the victim to check whether the electricity was working in a travel trailer on the property. The victim complied, and shortly afterwards, Fox appeared in the doorway of the trailer. Fox then pushed the victim onto a bed, pinned her down and raped her. The victim’s 13-year-old brother walked inside, witnessed the crime, and rushed out to tell his mother, who called police.

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

The victim’s family was consulted before the District Attorney’s Office proceeded with the plea. The victim, her mother, and brother were all present in court for the plea, and they approved of the sentence.