Donald Gene Larson, once from Sequim but most recently from Elma, was sentenced in Clallam County Superior Court Oct. 21 for child molestation in the first degree, a class A felony.

Larson, 52, received the standard range of confinement in state prison, which is a minimum of 68 months in his case. The maximum term he could serve in prison is life.

He also was sentenced to a total of $1,660 in fines. Restitution to the victim is still to be determined.

Should Larson be released from prison, he will be required to submit to monitoring by the state Department of Corrections for the rest of his life. He is restricted from ever being in contact with children under the age of 16, except as authorized by his correctional officer.

He must go through a sex offender treatment counseling course and is prohibited from drinking alcohol.

Larson initially was charged with two crimes, the rape of a child in the first degree and child molestation in the first degree. Larson pleaded guilty to the second charge in order to get the first one dropped.

The charges stem from an 11-year-old’s testimony about her relationship with Larson before he moved away

from Sequim.

The girl reportedly told

Sequim Police that on many occasions she was at Larson’s apartment by herself and he would have her engage in sexual acts with him. She said she was between the ages of 8 and 9 at the time.

The girl said nothing had happened since Larson moved from the area. However, according to the report, Larson did send the girl expensive gifts and would come to her family’s house for dinner when he was in Sequim.

On Dec. 14, 2007, the girl’s family reported that Larson was back in town, asking to bring more presents and to have dinner at their house once again. Sequim Police located Larson and took him into custody.