Local man, 50, faces statutory rape charges

Friday, June 20, 2008

Nevada Daily Mail

Larry G. Fritts, 50, of Nevada, was arrested on five counts of statutory rape. According to a report by the Vernon County Sheriff's Office, it is alleged that Fritts on numerous occasions had sexual intercourse with a juvenile victim and traded money and other gifts for sex in a series of incidents that took place during a two-year span.

Fritts was arrested on June 17. A $20,000 bond was set.

A statement of probable cause says that in an interview, the victim told police that the first incident took place about two years ago when Fritts went into the bedroom that the juvenile was in while staying the night at his home.

The victim told interviewers that after entering the room, Fritts began rubbing her body and kissing her; and at the end of the incident, she said, he gave her $80.

The most recent incident took place about April 27, when the victim needed money for a trip to Chicago. It was stated that the victim resisted but then gave in and allowed him to proceed. The victim said she had taken a sleeping pill, but was aware of someone pulling her clothes off as she fell asleep.

Court documents indicate that during the interview the victim also alleged that Fritts traded a pool pass and a yearbook for sex in two separate incidents in 2007. She also told investigators that an incident took place in his semi at night in the parking lot of the sale barn area, allegedly in exchange for new underwear.

During an interview, Fritts first denied allegations; then said he'd had a dream about having sex but was not sure whether sex had occurred. He then told police that the victim had later asked for money, saying "remember the other night." (He'd given her money without questioning why, he told the deputy.)

Documents further state that later in the interview, Fritts said that the victim had gotten money from him on more than one occasion.

While the deputy was interviewing Fritts, the deputy told him it was claimed that he (Fritts) had held the victim down during one incident, Fritts closed his eyes and a moment later told the deputy he was "pretty sure she was on top" that night, court documents say.

Asked for a written statement, Fritts said he wanted to talk to his lawyer before doing so.

At this time no court dates have been set.

Comments

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Some details of this story would have been better left unreported. The front page of the paper should not be rated R. I'm sure many children in Nevada saw that story including Larry Fritts' children. You should be ashamed of your unprofesional reporting.

-- Posted by suzannefritts on Mon, Jun 23, 2008, at 7:34 AM
I was personally disgusted that such a detailed account of someone's sex scandal would be thrown on the front page of a small town paper. No wonder kids are so messed up. Who knows what's decent and normal when the news can only talk about sex and murder (in explicit detail)?

-- Posted by supernaturally on Mon, Jun 23, 2008, at 1:41 PM
I completely agree with you. What has this paper come to? I've been reading the Nevada Daily Mail for 20 years now, and this quite possibly could be the worst story this paper has ever published. I guess it shows what Nevada really is coming to.

-- Posted by mattsmom on Thu, Jun 26, 2008, at 3:56 PM
I really doubt this newspaper article messed up a few kids. This is news and real life. Kids should be aware of what goes on, it could be a lot safer than hiding the truth (although I will admit news reporters aren't well known for telling the whole story).

Parents blame video game sex/violence for kids' problems. They even blame tv and movies for kids' problems. But now it's coming down to censoring and hiding what really goes on in the world? Letting children think everyone and everything is nice and safe is a terrible idea. They need to be careful, they need to think about what people are capable of.

What about the two Oklahoma girls (aged 13 and 11) that were recently shot and killed while out walking alone?(http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/06/11/ok.girls.deaths/index.html?iref=newssearch)

It is getting to the point where children can't even play in their own backyards and if they don't know what to look out for it will only get worse.

-- Posted by KC-Flip on Wed, Jul 2, 2008, at 12:38 PM
Good job to the Nevada Daily Mail for not being afraid to state the facts of a very sensitive and tragic case. Thank you for bringing this to many peoples attentation that this can happen even in our small community. This is a sad fact of our lives that happens everyday to some poor child. As they say "Knowledge is Power" so let's hope it stops it from happening again. Some parents need to have a wake up call, and I hope this is it.

-- Posted by Scaredparent on Wed, Jul 2, 2008, at 2:14 PM
kids must be prepared these days for anything

-- Posted by grandchampion on Tue, Jul 8, 2008, at 12:52 PM
It takes guts for a paper of this size, in a town of this size, to print a story like this one. For those of you who are offended by it, sorry. How are we supposed to educate our children about perverts like this if we are too afraid to even read about it?

-- Posted by DaisyMom on Wed, Jul 9, 2008, at 11:03 AM
Has anyone ever heard of prostitution? I am not saying that it is right for an adult to behave in this way., but it seems that she always went to see him if she needed something . at least thats what the story made it sound like. Is that really being a victim if she told no one but instead kept using him?? Again i am not justifiying the actions of this adult, but taking a closer look at the victim and her actions. Just food for thought.

-- Posted by mamabear on Wed, Jul 9, 2008, at 1:20 PM
I was trying to sleep last night and i couldn't,thinking of this story, i do have alot more unanswered questions. did she go to the authorities or was it her parents. Maybe his concious compelled him to end this affair or maybe it was his wallet. I mean it sound like she was in high school, and where did a teen get sleeping pills??? What other drug activity is she involved in? I still do not condone the actions of this adult. Having sex with minors is wrong. I do have children. But i hope that i raise them with enough moral value for them to know that if someone tried to molest them they would not keep going back for more..

-- Posted by mamabear on Thu, Jul 10, 2008, at 9:50 AM
What this paper has come 2? Do you not think that something like this should be in the paper??? Come on people lets take our heads out of the sand and realize that stuff like this truly does happen. Yes even in hick town Nevada this kind of crap happens. Maybe a story like this will stop other would be predators from trying to prey on teenage girls, boys or whatever. Perhaps the humilitation is enough to deter. Perhaps not. But it is real life and it is really happening. Deal with it.

-- Posted by concernedcitizens on Mon, Jul 14, 2008, at 3:09 PM
It is really strange how some folks turn on the messenger when they get news that they don't want to hear. How can anyone be disgusted with hearing the truth? Where the hell was this girls parents? I believe there is a wee bit more to this story than what we are getting. Good straight talk from the Daily Mail.

-- Posted by RamRod on Mon, Jul 14, 2008, at 6:05 PM
this reads like something that was typed up by a detective, as opposed to real journalism by a real reporter.

-- Posted by like2b_onree on Wed, Jul 16, 2008, at 8:16 AM
I find it very disturbing that people don't want to realize this kind of stuff happens in Nevada, MO as well as smaller towns. People like this could live right next door to you. Why hide it from your kids? They have to face reality sooner or later! Chances are, this is not the first time he had done this. It normally happens many times before they get caught. Just my opinion but I would rather have my kids educated and be on the safe side rather than to be sorry later.

-- Posted by rukiddingme? on Thu, Jul 17, 2008, at 1:53 PM
I wish that it was a little clearer just how old the victim is. Not that it makes it better that this grown man preyed on her. But it could make a difference if she were an older teen versus a younger child. And how did it come to light?

-- Posted by DaisyMom on Sat, Jul 19, 2008, at 5:11 PM
The victim was in her upper teens and it came out as she told another adult.

-- Posted by rukiddingme? on Mon, Jul 21, 2008, at 12:26 PM
$20,000$ bond...?I got a probation violation for a dirty urine test and got a 60,000 bond..hmmmm..I think Matt Blunt is a Cho Moe

-- Posted by lilwebbie on Sun, Aug 3, 2008, at 6:28 AM
Can anyone tell me what happened to real reporting? What we know about WWII would be a lot different if we only knew Hitler's side of the story. Why can the paper not give an unbiased story. I'm not saying what this man did was right, I'm only saying that in the United States we're presumed innocent until proven guilty, or did they change that. This article makes it sound like this man is to blame. I blame the young woman's parents. Everyone says this guy is a monster, but you still go see the Rolling Stones in concert. Mick Jagger's fiance is something like 26 years his junior. Statutory rape is wrong, period, but so is extortion! If he is guilty of rape, send him to prison. If she is guilty of extortion, send her to juvelile detention. I don't want to know the girl's name. After all, she is a minor. What I do want is her age; and maybe the other side of the story. Is that too much to ask?

-- Posted by hoodwinked on Mon, Aug 4, 2008, at 5:40 PM
Hoodwinked= I do not think that her age matters a lot here. I am assuming from the details in the story that she was not a young child. However, even if she were in her late teens, he is wrong for having any type of contact with her under the age of 17.

If she is under the age of consent than the fact, possibly, that she bribed him or used him also is irrelevent. He is the adult, it is on him to make adult decisions. If for no other reason than to protect himself.

It could be assumed that this kid probably already had some sort of boundary issues, which are probably the fault of her parents. But none the less, he was the adult, he will have to pay a price for his actions. And hopefully he will not make the same mistake again.

-- Posted by DaisyMom on Tue, Aug 5, 2008, at 8:36 PM
DaisyMom: Don't you think that this situation is a little more than black and white. For example: if this girl is almost 17 years old, do you honestly think one more year is going to make her a responsible adult?

Even if one were to concede the fact that the man is wrong in the situation, how can you say "that she bribed him or used him also is irrelevent. He is the adult, it is on him to make adult decisions?" If you're old enough to bribe and use someone, are you not old enough to be held accountable for your decision to do so?

By your name, I'm going to assume that you're a woman and probably a mother. It's only natural for you to defend the young woman, because of the nature of the alleged offense. That doesn't, however, prevent the accused from having a fair shot at having the truth brought to light.

Because of this newspaper article, the court of public opinion is slanted so heavily against the man that it would surprise me if he is given due process.

I can speak personally of this newspaper's inability to report a story accurately. This story was not in the opinion section. If you want to give one side of the story, do it in a People Magazine, not in a local newspaper. The readers deserve more than that.

In closing, please do not think that I am trying to defend this man. If he is guilty, what he did was undeniably wrong. All I'm saying is that we need more facts of the case along with the other side of the story before assuming guilt. On top of that, we need to know what will be done to the parents of the young woman.

I truly feel sorry for this girl. For the same reasons I feel sorry for the child of a lifetime criminal. They don't know any better because that is how they were raised, but one still must be accountable for one's own volluntary actions.

-- Posted by hoodwinked on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 6:02 PM
Hoodwinked- I agree that there is more to this story than what has been reported so far. She went to him for money, why would you do that? I will admit that I think that the ball dropped for this kid a long time ago. Somewhere along the line her knowledge of boundaries was compromised. That is assuming that she is in fact 16 or 17 years old. If she is younger than that then there is no discussion that would make his decision better.

But if she is that old, she is still too young to consent legally. It is not like this guy was 19 or 20. By his age he should know enough to at least keep himself out of trouble.

I disagree that this could be seen as something on the opinion page. The writer is merely stating the facts as they are presented. Her name is withheld because of her age. Another reason for him to do the right thing. His paperwork is a matter of public record. How would you have liked to have had the paper report it, "Mr. X..." This story may bring other girls out of the wood work. A trial may also bring to light a history of the girl, who knows? But nothing in this article read like an opinion piece.

I am a mother but I am not defending the actions of this girl. She knew that something was wrong which is why she was getting money for it. Back to the boundaries issue. Still does not make it alright.

Another poster- "vcfire6" mentioned that she is in her late teens and it came to light after telling an adult. Now that does not mean that she told an adult as a way of helping herself. She may have just told the right adult and that adult did the right thing. We do not know under what circumstances her story came out.

Either way I hope that she is getting help. There have got to be some issues that need to be addressed. As for him, life is about making choices and those choices have consequences. He chose to have relations with a minor, no matter how close to adulthood she may be. And he chose to pay her, why? One of the consequences to a crime like this is having your name and reputation out there.

Finally you asked if one more year would have made her a responsible adult, maybe , but the law does not care. And even if she was an adult, paying someone for sex is illegal also. Either way, he is in the wrong.

The paper did not do anything to put his family at risk, he did that. No where did I get the idea that the writer had determined guilt. This is about the actions of an adult man. I would be saying the same had it been an adult woman and a teen boy. You cannot use the "she asked for it" defense when one is a minor. That is one of the perks of being an adult, you are allowed to make adult decisions. The flip side is that children, no matter how close to adulthood they may be, cannot make adult decisions.

-- Posted by DaisyMom on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 7:34 PM
If it is soooo necessary and appropriate to provide all the details you can in a story like this why then don't you publish the gruesome photo's of car accident victims, or people who have died in house fires, or explicit images of war? Oh, I know, that might not be in "good taste", or it might be offensive in some way.

Can anyone say "double standards" from the press, and "sex sells"?

-- Posted by like2b_onree on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 2:20 PM
This is reporting the facts as they are relevant to the story. Proper attribution is given to "court documents" and "a statement of probable cause". The "on top" part was relevant because there is an allegation that she was held down.

The report says the girl coerced money from the man, so it's not completely one-sided.

As to those offended, let's just live in a plastic bubble.

Blaming the paper for messed up is kids shows the root of the problem...people not taking responsibility for teaching their own kids how to act and react.

-- Posted by nmmetsfan on Thu, Aug 14, 2008, at 4:58 PM
I think it would behoove EVERYone to check the National Sex Offender Registry online. There are 32 registered sex offenders in Nevada, Missouri. Check it ....and take notice of their faces, their addresses.....I do.

-- Posted by justmy2centswth on Wed, Aug 20, 2008, at 5:41 AM
First off my sister was on 13 she just been threw hell some of yall opinion is very sicking also if. Any have any ? She will gladly answer them ill give u here number 4172831019 call she'll tell u so most of these comments are bashing my young sister she been threw hell sad sad wow so sad

-- Posted by Wow wow sad on Mon, Apr 1, 2019, at 2:33 PM

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