Teen seeks a break in child-sex case

A Davie teenager who went from popular high school football player to an ostracized, accused child molester is asking Broward Circuit Judge Marc Gold to cut him a break.

Shawn Strawser, now 19, pleaded no contest Wednesday to four counts of sexual battery and four counts of lewd or lascivious molestation involving neighborhood girls ages 8 and 9.

Last year, Davie police arrested the Western High School student, an outside linebacker, on charges he played sexual games with the four Davie girls.

Under Florida sentencing guidelines, Strawser's punishment could range from 58 years to life in prison.

However, Strawser's lawyer, Jeffrey Voluck, is asking Gold to consider leniency and grant him a downward departure.

In a best-case scenario for the defense, the teenager would simply serve probation and agree to counseling.

''I want to be sure you understand that you are not forced to do this,'' Gold cautioned Strawser before accepting his plea.

Strawser kept his head turned away from the television and newspaper photographers in Gold's courtroom.

''He is basically putting his life before the mercy of the court,'' Voluck said. ``He has never been in any trouble in his life.''

Voluck suggested that Strawser's actions originated from ''immaturity'' and that the teenager was no sexual predator.

Detectives learned of the situation from Strawser's dad, who called after hearing that neighbors were making the allegations about his son. One victim said Strawser moved her underwear aside and put something inside her.

According to his arrest report, Strawser told police that he had simulated sex with one of the girls while they wrestled on a bed. He said he did not do any of the other things he was accused of.

The next hearing is scheduled for the morning of Dec. 27.

The defense is expected to call character witnesses and psychological experts to argue for leniency. Prosecutors, for their part, will have their own experts and will invite the victims to weigh in on his sentencing.