State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Larry Wayne Riddle was convicted after a jury trial of Attempted Sexual Battery By Person Over 18 Years of Age Upon a Child Less Than 12 Years of Age, Lewd or Lascivious Conduct By Person Eighteen Years of Age or Older Upon a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age (Solicitation), and Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition By Person Eighteen Years of Age or Older Upon a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age. The crimes were investigated by the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit (SVU). The three-day trial was held at the Sarasota County Courthouse from October 12-October 14, 2026. The Honorable Judge Andrea DeCanio presided over the trial. The court sentenced Defendant on October 15, 2026.
The Defendant, a close family friend, stayed with the child and the child’s family at their Sarasota vacation home during Spring Break. When alone with the child, the Defendant repeatedly asked the child to commit sexual acts on him over the course of the week. At one point, the Defendant stood between the child and television, unzipped his pants, exposed himself, and asked the child again to perform a sexual act. The child refused each and every time. The Defendant told her to keep it a secret. The child disclosed the abuse to her grandmother and mother. As residents of Palm Beach County, the family initially reported the abuse to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Due to the offenses occurring in Sarasota County, the family then reported the abuse to Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. An interview of the child at the Child Protection Center soon followed. The Defendant was arrested on March 31, 2026 and transported to Sarasota County Jail.
The investigation revealed that Defendant had three prior convictions for sexual offenses against children from the 1980s and 1990s in Broward County. During the trial, one of the Defendant’s prior victims testified the Defendant committed an Indecent Assault on her as a child in the early 1990s. Further investigation revealed that there were numerous instances where Defendant committed sexual abuse against children that were not reported.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Lissa MacDonald, said:
“This Defendant took advantage of this family’s good will and used that opportunity to abuse yet another child. He showed absolutely no remorse for the devastation that he caused in each victim’s life. Thankfully, the child in this case had the wherewithal to reject his requests. With the support of her family, and the excellent work by members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the Child Protection Center, this child not only protected herself but all children by stopping this predator in his tracks. The courage of this child to speak up and confront her abuser was heroic and hopefully brought some peace to his prior victims. We are thankful for the jury’s careful consideration of this case in reaching a just verdict. The State Attorney’s Office is also grateful for the members of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Forensic Investigations Unit, Davie Police Department, and Jacksonville County Sheriff’s Office; their dedication led to the Defendant being held accountable for his actions and a just outcome.”
During the sentencing hearing, the child’s family spoke about how the Defendant took advantage of their kindness after they opened their homes to him. The Defendant’s prior victim and their families shared the extensive damage the Defendant caused in their lives. Prior to the conclusion of the hearing, the child stood brave again in front of her abuser and told the court how the Defendant impacted her life. After careful consideration, the court sentenced the Defendant to 65.65 years in prison, the maximum allowable under Florida law, and designated him a sexual predator.
If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Assistant State Attorney Lissa MacDonald in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.