On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, a jury found Gerard Michael Larson guilty of attempted sexual assault after propositioning a 10 year old girl in Great Falls in 2020.
During the trial, the jury reviewed the forensic interview conducted with the then ten year old victim in 2020, in which she refers to Larson as “Uncle Gerry," and how he would take her and her friends fishing, swimming, and watch them play in the yard.
She described an incident with Larson taking her to his camper after taking her and a friend to the lake to swim, and asking if she wanted him to make her “feel good down there”, rubbing her belly. She then recalls exiting the camper, and Larson apologizing to her later for the incident.
The jury also watched a video of the two hour interrogation detectives conducted with Larson at the time of his arrest in 2020, in which Larson describes the incident as a bad joke and admits to slapping the victim on the belly while repeatedly denying that the actions were sexual in nature.
The jury also heard testimony from the now fourteen year old victim, and from a neighbor who notified law enforcement after witnessing Larson in the area frequently speaking to the victim and her friends from his truck.
The detectives associated with the case described Larson’s behavior consistent with predatory grooming behaviors.
Larson’s defense argued that the detectives twisted Larson’s words in their interrogation, and that touching the victim’s stomach area does not constitute a sexual act or intent to commit a sexual act.
Larson exercised his Fifth Amendment right not to testify, and after an hour of deliberations the jury reached a verdict of guilty on one count of attempted sexual assault.
After his conviction, Larson’s bail was revoked and he was taken into custody. He faces a minimum sentence of four years.
(SEPTEMBER 23, 2024) The trial began in Great Falls on Monday, September 23, 2024, for Gerard Michael Larson, who was charged in September 2020 with attempting to sexually assault a young girl.
Court documents state that a person told police that a suspicious man - later identified as Larson - was watching a couple of 10-year old girls from an orange Chevy truck in the street. The person saw Larson talking to one of the girls (Jane Doe) as she leaned into the passenger side window. The person who made the report notified a parent of one of the girls, who said that Larson had given one of the children gifts and wanted the child to see his camper.
A forensic interview was conducted of the girl, and she said that Larson bought her bracelets and necklaces. She described feeling uncomfortable when she was in Larson's camper and he rubbed her belly up and down after swimming. She told him it was inappropriate and he apologized and told her he would "never take advantage" of her and that he loved her.
Larson was interviewed by police and admitted having attractions to young children, including the victim in this case. According to court documents, Larson told police that "10 or 11 year old girls have made passes at him" sexually.
He admitted buying Jane Doe bracelets and necklaces and admitted kissing her on the lips. Larson also admitted Jane Doe was in his camper and he was alone with her approximately two weeks prior. He admitted that Jane Doe was laying on the camper bed, wearing a swimsuit. He confessed to putting a phone or tablet down and to the side within her, and asked her, "Do you want me to make you feel good down there?"
Larson said that the child stated that when he moved his hands towards her to touch her belly, she smacked his hand away. He said he then apologized and told her he would never take advantage of her.
The GFPD says that records show Larson had been barred (trespassed) from the Peak Fitness Center from a 2014 complaint when he allegedly gave a gift with a card to a 13-year old girl addressed to "My Little Mermaid," followed by X's and O's; this note had his phone number on it and said for her to "call him sometime."
The investigator concluded: "Based on my training and experience, these actions are consistent with grooming behavior. Based on the information gathered at this time, it is probable Larson was grooming Jane Doe with the intent to have sexual contact with her."
The GFPD says Larson's criminal history shows a 2004 conviction for Unlawful Transactions With Children.
