A local man was found guilty Tuesday, May 2, 2017, of molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13.
James Hardy Pitman, 40, opted for a bench trial in Caddo District Court, before District Judge Brady D. O’Callaghan.
Pitman, of Bossier City, was accused of molesting a minor female over a period of three years before his arrest in December 2014. A second female victim, now an adult, testified that she, too, was molested by Pitman while she was a minor.
Pitman has prior convictions for simple battery (1995), disturbing the peace (1999), possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (2012), domestic abuse battery (2012 and 2013), resisting an officer (2013) and misdemeanor theft (2013).
He faces a minimum sentence of at least 25 years in prison at hard labor and up to 99 years behind bars, with the first 25 years to be served without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. He will return to court July 18, 2017, for sentencing.
Pitman was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mekisha Smith Creal. He was defended by Mary Harried.