BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — Larry Twyman, convicted of lewd and lascivious acts on a minor under 14 years old and false imprisonment, was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday. The sentencing has left the victim’s family dismayed, as Twyman initially faced over eight years.
The incident happened on March 28, 2025, when Twyman, a reported family acquaintance, inappropriately touched the minor. Prosecutors said the girl attempted to run away, but Twyman grabbed her shirt and held her down while continuing the assault. She managed to escape and later reported the incident to law enforcement.
Larry Twyman. Photo: Kern County DA
This is not Twyman’s first conviction for similar behavior. In 1981, he was sentenced to seven years in an Arizona prison for sexual conduct with a minor in Yuma County. However, under Arizona law, this conviction did not qualify as a prior strike offense.
Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer commented on the case back in December, stating, “Twyman has demonstrated a troubling pattern of sexual misconduct involving vulnerable children. While it is unfortunate that his Arizona conviction does not qualify as a strike offense, this new conviction will.”
In addition to his prison sentence, Twyman will be required to register as a sex offender and will be subject to ongoing monitoring. He is classified as a Tier 2 sex offender, meaning he must register for 20 years.
The victim’s grandmother, Traci Baker, expressed her frustration, saying, “I think he should have got the eight, considering he had a prior record, you know? Now this is his second offense and you are only getting three years.” She furthermore said, “He should pay for his wrongdoings. So what, in three years he’s going to get out and go touch another kid? That’s not cool.”
Twyman was denied probation as part of his sentencing.