LEBANON — A state appeals court has upheld the conviction and sentence of a former Lebanon doctor convicted of child molestation.
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed both the conviction and sentence imposed against former Lebanon doctor Jonathon Cavins that was handed down last year.
In February 2020, a jury convicted Cavins on two counts of child molesting fondling or touching with a child under 14, one count of sexual misconduct with a minor, and two counts of child seduction. In June, a judge sentenced him to 23 years in prison, with 19 years to be served at the Indiana Department of Correction and four years of probation.
In its ruling, the Indiana Court of Appeals said "that the jury had ample evidence from which it could infer that Cavins had the requisite intent to support his five convictions." The court also ruled that Cavins failed to demonstrate that the 23-year sentence was inappropriate given the nature of his offenses.
Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood issued the following statement about the decision from the Indiana Court of Appeals decision:
We are grateful that the Court of Appeals upheld the convictions and sentence in this matter. Today's ruling further confirms the strength and courage demonstrated by the boys that come forward to tell their story of abuse and the outstanding job performed by the investigation team which included members of the Boone County Prosecutor's Office, Lebanon Police Department and Sylvia's Child Advocacy Center.
