SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Sumner County judge sentenced a former Portland restaurant manager to 46 years in prison Friday for grooming, exploiting and sexually abusing a 16-year-old job applicant.
District Attorney Thomas Dean said 43-year-old Landin Justin Long was sentenced after a jury convicted him in February.
Jurors found Long guilty of statutory rape by an authority figure, two counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Prosecutors said Long used his position as a restaurant manager to target the teen victim.
Long will remain in prison under the sentence imposed by the court.
As we honor those who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice, it is also heartening to see the military right a wrong. Chris Davis brings us the moving story of a Purple Heart ceremony two decades in the making. It's worth a watch.
A heartfelt thanks to all who bravely serve.
- Carrie Sharp
