SAO10 Blog Archives - Page 21 of 68 - State Attorney Office 10th Judicial Circuit

Bartow teen receives life sentence for raping toddler

March 2, 2020/in SAO10 Blog /by john chambliss

Thomas Johnson

A circuit judge sentenced a 19-year-old Bartow man to life in prison Friday for raping a 2-year-old girl in 2018.

Thomas Johnson, who was 17 when he assaulted the girl, showed little emotion throughout the two-day sentencing hearing. In 2019, he pleaded no contest to sexual battery on child under 18 and tampering with physical evidence.

The rape of the girl, who is now 4, caused her to suffer numerous injuries and undergo multiple surgeries.

During closing arguments, Assistant State Attorney Ashley McCarthy asked Judge Kevin Abdoney to sentence Johnson to life in prison.

Johnson’s lawyer asked for a lighter sentence to allow him to eventually be released and undergo therapy.

McCarthy said it was one of the most horrific cases she’s worked, describing the rape as “inherently despicable.”

Johnson showed little remorse after the rape, McCarthy said. Instead, he hid evidence and made up a story to law enforcement about a masked man who broke into the home where he babysat the girl.

Ultimately, McCarthy said, the physical and emotional effects of the rape will linger for the rest of the girl’s life.

“The effect of this crime has been devastating on this family,” McCarthy said, detailing the surgeries the girl has undergone. “It’s unbelievable how far that will reach into her life.”

State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney McCarthy and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on the case.

Haines City man found guilty of shooting man in the stomach

February 28, 2020/in SAO10 Blog /by john chambliss

William Gilbert

A jury found a 55-year-old Haines City man guilty Wednesday of attempted second-degree murder for shooting a man in the stomach in 2019.

William Gilbert will be sentenced by Judge Keith Spoto on April 3 for shooting the 51 year-old victim, who had been sitting outside with friends in Haines City.

Gilbert suspected he and the victim were both seeing the same woman. During the evening of March 13, Gilbert located the victim and attempted to start a verbal argument with him. When the victim stood up, Gilbert shot the victim once in the stomach.

Assistant State Attorney William Beaver told the jury in closing arguments that “He (the defendant) did all the talking.”

Gilbert was later arrested after witnesses identified him as the shooter. The victim was treated at a nearby hospital.

State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Beaver and the Haines City Police Department for their work on the case.

Lakleand man sentenced to 25 years for sexually assaulting girl

February 24, 2020/in SAO10 Blog /by john chambliss

Jessie Thomas

A Lakeland man who sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl in 2018 was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Wednesday.

Jessie Thomas, 29, was also designated as a sexual predator.

Assistant State Attorney Randall Daugustinis prosecuted the case.

The sexual assault occurred in July 2018. Thomas was confronted about molesting the child during a recorded phone call several weeks after the victim came forward about the assault.

He admitted he touched the girl, saying it was a mistake.

“I was stupid,” Thomas said during the call. “I’m stupid, OK?”

State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Daugustinis and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for investigating the case.

Lakeland man receives life sentence for raping 14-year-old girl

February 12, 2020/in SAO10 Blog /by john chambliss

Jason Elsea

A 35-year-old man was sentenced to two life sentences Thursday for raping a 14-year-old girl who became pregnant and later gave birth.

Jason Elsea, of Lakeland, pleaded guilty in December. Before Elsea was sentenced, Assistant State Attorney Ashley McCarthy urged Circuit Judge William “Bill” Sites to sentence Elsea to life in prison.

McCarthy explained to Sites that Elsea’s actions in 2018 were egregious.

She said Elsea had a number of opportunities to do the right thing but continued to have sex with the girl even after he knew she was pregnant. The girl, McCarthy said, must live with the emotional scars the rest of her life.

In addition, McCarthy said that after Elsea found out the girl was pregnant he fed her medication in an attempt to abort the fetus.

Sites told Elsea his actions were atrocious. He sentenced Elsea to life in prison for the two counts of sexual battery on a child under 18.

“What you did was one of the most horrible things that a person can do,” Sites said.

State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney McCarthy and the Lakeland Police Department for their work on the case.

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