Jury convicts Clay County man on sex charges | News

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- A Clay County man has been found guilty of two counts of Sexual Battery by a jury of his peers.

Vernon Laughter, 50, was arrested in September 2010 on charges of allegedly performing sex acts on a 16-year-old female, according to a news release from the State Attorney's Office.

Laughter was on Federal parole for three counts of armed bank robbery when the sex crimes took place, the release details.

"Nothing can repair the damage done to our young victim, but my hope is this guilty verdict gives her some closure," said Assistant State Attorney James Colaw.

Laughter is facing a minimum of 20 years in prison and will be sentenced in July.