Counselor Pleads Guilty to Sexual Misconduct

Larry Chapman pleaded guilty in less than 20 minutes to coercing two mothers under his care into having sex. The guilty plea took place in a Jefferson County courtroom in Alabama.

According to prosecutors from Jefferson County, Chapman was assigned to counsel two women in their homes in 2008, 2009, and 2010 by the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Chapman was accuses of promising the women excellent written reports and the chance to keep their children if they engaged in sexual activity with him during the counseling sessions, according to WBRC-Fox 6.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tommy Nail presided over the case, asking Chapman the question “Is that what you did, Mr. Chapman?” After pausing a few seconds, Chapman replied, “Yes sir.”

After the exchange between Chapman and the judge, an attorney for one of the victims, Courtney French, said the following in response to Chapman’s plea:

“In this case, he used their children as pawns,” French said.

Only one of the two victims from the case was in court on Thursday. That victim hired a private investigator to film a session with Chapman in her home. That video was not used in court during the case though.

Originally, Chapman was charged with sodomy and felony rape but in order to acquire a guilty verdict, the prosecutors had to prove that Chapman threatened to kill or harm the women if they did not comply with his advances.

“I think if you ask most mothers or parents, they’ll say using their child is just like using a weapon,” French argued.  A plea deal was offered by the prosecutors as a result of the law, on the lesser charges of sexual misconduct.

Chapman was sentenced to 12 months in the Jefferson County Jail by Nail as a result of the guilty plea. Chapman was also sentenced to 24 months of probation by Nail. Chapman will also need to register as a sex offender each quarter.

“I think it’s some sense of justice for the ladies involved.”

The DHR and Chapman also have civil lawsuits filed against them by the women. In that case, which is separate, the plaintiffs claim that the DHR did not conduct proper background checks on Chapman.

“This company he set up was a bogus company. He had a bogus license. All his credentials he presented to counsel these women were a fraud,” French says.

French also claims that there were other complaints filed with the agency regarding he inappropriate behavior of Chapman but that those complaints were never investigated.

“He’s counseled hundreds of women,” French said.  “And I’m sure other than the ladies who have come forward with their case who will hopefully come forward if they have been harmed by this man.”

“I think the agreement is what it was,” said Chapman’s attorney, Bill Dawson.  “It seemed to be a fair resolution.”