Trigger Warning: Child Sexual Abuse

Jury Convicts Man of Sexually Abusing Norfolk Child in His Care

NORFOLK, Va. — A jury found Travis Davon Brown, 34, guilty on Wednesday of forcible sodomy after he sexually abused a 7-year-old child previously in his care. The victim disclosed to her grandmother, child protective services, Norfolk Police, and forensic specialists in 2022 the degree of grooming and abuse Mr. Brown had committed, and she testified to Mr. Brown’s abuse at trial.

Mr. Brown pleaded not guilty to his charges — one count of raping a child under age 13 as well as multiple counts of object sexual penetration of a child under age 13 and sodomizing a child under age 13 — and opted for a jury trial. On Wednesday, after about two hours of deliberation, the jury found Mr. Brown guilty of one count of forcible sodomy. Mr. Brown’s sentencing is set for Oct. 18 before Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise.

Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michelle L. Newkirk and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Abigail L. Ottinger are prosecuting Mr. Brown’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Ryan B. Davis led the investigation.

“The survivor of this case has been incredibly brave. She has done what many adults cannot bring themselves to do: to stand up to and testify against her abuser,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “We owe her our thanks, and we will seek a sentence that will protect her and the community from further harm at the hands of Mr. Brown.”

If you have or someone you love has fallen victim to crime, including but not limited to child abuse, resources are available at the Norfolk Family Justice Center. For more information, please visit norfolkfjc.org, call 757-330-0376 or stop by the NFJC inside the Park Place Multi-Services Center at 606 W. 29th St., between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays. If you are in crisis, call the 24/7 hotline by dialing 757-251-0144. In an emergency, please call 911.

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