Florida to Seek Death Penalty Against Man Accused of Sexually Battering Children

Sex crimes against children are common in Florida. These crimes can lead to harsh penalties and even death. The Florida attorney general recently announced that the state will seek the death penalty against a man who allegedly sexually battered multiple children.

The man was indicted by a grand jury for child sex battery against a 3-year-old child. He engaged in sexual abuse with the child and also filmed them. Prosecutors believe there are eight victims total.

The man was arrested after a good Samaritan reported seeing child porn with a very young child on the man’s cellphone. The good Samaritan alerted authorities and detectives say that the arrest affidavit matched what they saw on the  good Samaritan’s video. Making matters worse is the fact that the man worked as a babysitter or a nanny during the time of the alleged abuse.

The Hernando County sheriff believes that at least 50 of the pictures and videos contained capital sexual battery acts, involving three of the eight victims. At least 80 of the pictures and images showed the suspect touching the five other victims inappropriately.

The victims are between the ages of 3 and 10, with most between 4 and 8 years old. Investigators found 30 additional devices at the man’s home containing hundreds of files of photos and videos of child pornographic images. Detectives are still looking through around 650 photos and videos of child porn on the man’s electronic devices.

Law enforcement officials do not believe the man can be rehabilitated and “needs to face the ultimate form of justice.” This is not the man’s first run-in with the law. He was arrested in 2012 in the Jacksonville area for a similar offense. At that time, he was arrested for capital sexual battery but ended up pleading guilty to child abuse. He was sentenced to five years probation with no designation as a sexual offender or a sexual predator.

According to a Florida law that was passed in 2023, prosecutors can now pursue the death penalty in capital sexual battery cases involving a child under 12 years old. This means the man in this case can potentially face the death penalty and law enforcement wants to make sure that happens. The state attorney general says he “will be doing everything we can legally to send him to meet his maker.”

There are more victims, which means additional charges will likely be filed in other counties. Anyone with information is asked to call the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

Contact a Legal Professional for Help

Engaging in sexual battery with multiple children is a serious crime that comes with serious penalties. You could even face the death penalty, as seen in this man’s case.

There is a lot at stake in these cases. Get the legal help you need from a Florida child pornography lawyer from the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit. We will give you the personalized attention your case deserves. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (352) 505-1799.

Source:

fox13news.com/news/floridas-attorney-general-hernando-county-sheriff-speak-brooksville