MALONE — After a five-day jury trial that concluded today, a Franklin County jury found Justin P. Lamica, 39, of Malone, guilty of multiple charges regarding the sexual abuse of a child.
Lamica was convicted of predatory sexual assault of a child, a Class A felony, as well as rape in the first degree, course of sexual conduct against a child in the first degree and sexual abuse in the first degree, among other charges.
The People called seven witnesses and the defense called two.
After listening and weighing the evidence, the jury returned with a guilt verdict around 1:30 p.m.
Following the verdict, Judge Craig Carriero remanded Lamica to the custody of the Franklin County Jail without bail pending sentencing.
Lamica, a Level 2 registered sex offender from a previous conviction, faces a minimum sentence of 10 years to life and a maximum of 25 to life on top of the charge of predatory sexual assault of a child less than 11 years old at the time.
The encounters happened over a period of four months from March 2025 to June 2025.
“The child took the stand and, in a very childlike way, told a room full of strangers what the defendant did,” Franklin County District Attorney Elizabeth Crawford said in a statement. “The child is too young to understand what bravery and courage truly mean, but every adult in the courtroom witnessed it and because of it, the defendant is going to prison for the rest of his life.
“My office will continue to fight for and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
The case was prosecuted by Crawford and Executive Assistant District Attorney Alyxandra Stanczak.
Lamica was represented by the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office.
The DA thanks members of the Malone Village Police Department and the Child Advocacy Center for their investigation of the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 20.