Lakin
Illinois Appellate Prosecutor Charles Colburn said that L. Thomas Lakin will appear in Madison County court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to answer aggravated sexual abuse charges involving a 15-year-old boy.
Colburn filed the following charge against Lakin on Monday:
"That during and about April 2005 to October 2005, said defendant, L. Thomas Lakin, knowingly committed an act of sexual penetration with Tyler Z., who was at least 13 years of age but under 17 years of age, in that the defendant made contact with his mouth to the penis of Tyler Z. and the defendant was at least 5 years older than Tyler Z., in violation of Chapter 720 ILCS 5/12(d) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes."
Lakin pleaded guilty in federal court in October 2008 to possessing and distributing cocaine to a person under 21 and to maintaining a drug-involved premises, in exchange for prosecutors dropping sex charges that carried a sentence of life in prison. He was sentenced to six years in prison, however, he is scheduled for release from federal prison next year.
Colburn was appointed in 2006 to investigate allegations against Lakin. He was brought in after former Madison County State's Attorney, and current circuit judge, Bill Mudge, cited a conflict of interest and recused himself from the matter.
Lakin, 71, founded the Lakin Law Firm in Wood River, which became a renowned class action and personal injury firm.
He is set to be released from Fort Worth Federal Correctional Institution in Texas, a low security institution housing male offenders, on Nov. 30, 2012.