How Could You? Hall of Shame-John Thomas Lawson Updated

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Muskogee, Oklahoma, 64-year-old John Thomas Lawson “was charged with child sexual abuse, forcible oral sodomy and child abuse by neglect in June 2010.

Lawson was alleged to have abused the girl, who was 15 when charges were filed, from the time she was 4 or 5 until she was 9 while she was in his care.”

“Charges of sexual abuse of a child were dismissed against a Muskogee man, who then pleaded guilty to child neglect instead.”

“Lawson pleaded guilty to the child neglect charge and received a 20-year suspended sentence and fines in Muskogee County District Court on Monday.

The state dismissed the other two charges.

Lawson’s jury trial was scheduled to begin today.”

Man pleads guilty to child neglect
[Muskogee Phoenix 10/25/11]

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“A 62-year-old Muskogee County man was arrested Thursday afternoon by the Federal Fugitive Task Force and was jailed in lieu of $250,000 bond.

John Thomas Lawson is charged with child sexual abuse, forcible oral sodomy and child abuse, all felonies, according to a filing in Muskogee County District Court.

Lawson was being booked into Muskogee County/City Detention Facility shortly after 6 p.m., employees said.

Lawson is alleged to have abused the girl, now 15, from the time she was 4 or 5 until she was 9 while she was in his care, said Muskogee County Assistant District Attorney Nikki Baker.

The girl moved to another state with relatives after Lawson’s wife died, Baker said.

The child did not go to school or see a doctor while in Lawson’s care and could not express what had been done to her when she was younger, Baker said.

She has done that and is now willing to testify, Baker said.”
Muskogee County man charged with sexually abusing child
[Muskogee Phoenix 7/1/10 by Donna Hales]

“In a hearing Wednesday morning, Lawson’s attorney, Roger Hilfiger, asked the state for a recording of an interview his client remembers giving to a sheriff’s deputy back in 2006.

However, Assistant District Attorney Nikki Baker said she’s looked into the alleged recording and does not know whether it was lost or never existed.

District Court Judge Thomas Alford took the motion under advisement and took no action.

Lawson was released from the Muskogee County/City Detention Facility after posting $50,000 bond in December.”
Man to face jury in sex abuse case
[Muskogee Phoenix 9/14/11]

Case file can be found here. It appears that $3680 is owed though this police blotter indicated a $500 fine.

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Update: He was Sentenced to 20 years in jail.