Firefighter will go to prison for life

In November, a Putnam County jury convicted firefighter, Mark Brian Fowler, of committing a capital felony; lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12-years-old where the defendant is at least 18-years-old, or older — and, today, on his 42nd birthday, he received his sentence.

Public Affairs Director, Klare Ly, reported to Historic City News in St Augustine that Assistant State Attorney Eric Leonard prosecuted Fowler. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Fowler molested his female victim for two years; from the age of nine-years-old until she was eleven.

The sentencing range for the crime was 25 years to life; however, 7th Judicial Circuit Judge Carlos E. Mendoza sentenced Fowler to life in prison.

The victim’s mother spoke, and the victim, who is still a minor, wrote a statement that was read at the sentencing hearing. The young girl told about how the sexual abuse has devastated her life.