Category Archives: Sex Crimes
Former Police Officer Sentenced to Four Concurrent Prison Sentences for Forcing Suspected Drunk Driver and Passenger to Run Down Alligator Alley Naked
South Florida news headlines tell of numerous abuses by people in positions of authority. While elected officials, law enforcement officers, and wealthy executives usually are not able to avoid legal consequences for their actions, they are much more likely to get lenient sentences and generous plea deals, so that the sentences they serve seem… Read More »
Former Employee of Coral Springs Middle School Sentenced to 75 Years for Sexually Abusing Student
Fewer than ten percent of criminal cases go to trial. Unless the attorneys for the defendant are able to get the charges dropped, the next best option is usually a plea bargain. Most defendants get a much lighter sentence if they plead guilty to some of their charges than if they fight all of… Read More »
Broward Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Possession and Distribution of Obscene Images
It is against the law to possess pornographic content depicting the sexual abuse of minors. As with any crime, a person cannot be punished for it unless he or she enters a guilty plea or unless a jury determines, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he or she has committed the crime. Since so many… Read More »
Coconut Creek Police Officer Acquitted of Sexual Molestation After Other Charges Are Dropped
Between reporting a crime and a defendant being convicted are many steps of a legal process that aims to be fair both to defendants and to victims. The defendant has the right to enter a plea of not guilty, and if he does, the jury cannot convict him unless the prosecution convinces them, beyond… Read More »
Former Boynton Beach Police Officer Gets Two Years for Possession of Images of Child Exploitation
A man previously employed by the Boynton Beach Police Department will serve two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of obscene images showing children being subjected to sexual abuse. Like many people who buy abusive images online, he and the people who conspired with him in the trafficking of the images… Read More »
Former Sheriff’s Deputy Gets Probation in Plea Deal After Pleading Guilty to Possession of Obscene Material Involving a Minor
Possession of obscene images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors is a felony according to Florida law. A person convicted of one count of possession of obscene material involving a minor can face up to five years in prison, as well as having to register as a sex offender. Why, then, is a former… Read More »
Former Miami-Dade Firefighter Sentenced to 78 Months in Prison for Sexual Relationship with 14-Year-Old Girl
In May 2018, an investigation began into an inappropriate relationship between Miami-Dade firefighter Kevin Kerlin and a Palm Beach County girl. Investigators discovered a series of texts exchanged between Kerlin, who was 45 at the time, and a 14-year-old girl, which referred to sexual contact between the two of them. In May 2020, Kerlin… Read More »
Miami-Dade County Swimming Instructor Arrested, Charged With Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of Young Children
According to reporting from NBC Miami, Daniel Diaz-Mejia, 20, has been arrested on sexual molestation charges. Mr. Diaz-Mejia was recently employed as a swim instructor in Miami-Dade County. Based on the arrest documents obtained by the news organization, NBC Miami reports that this individual is accused of fondling two nine-year-old girls who were in… Read More »
Miami-Dade Public School Official Charged With Sex Crime
According to reporting from the Miami Herald, a Miami-Dade County public school employee has been arrested on sex crimes charges. Victor Brantley, who works in the computer technology department of South Dade Senior High School and also serves as a Pastor in Homestead, FL, is accused of meeting the boy through an internet dating… Read More »
An Overview of Sex Offender Registration in Florida
Florida has strict sex offender registration requirements. Under Florida state law, convicted sex offenders must report to law enforcement so that the general public has an opportunity to be aware of their presence. If a sex offender fails to register in accordance with state law, they will be subject to harsh criminal penalties —… Read More »
Creating, Posting, and Sharing Revenge Porn is a Sex Crime
When you are reeling from a difficult break up or trying to work through your anger at a former friend or lover, it can be very tempting to share embarrassing photos or videos of them online to make them feel the distress you felt because of their actions. But doing so is a sex… Read More »
Can my Teenage Son or Daughter Face Criminal Charges for Sexting with Another Teen?
Today, text messages and social media are how we communicate. For many teenagers, this is the primary, even sole means of communication with certain friends. Many young people entering their first relationships and navigating the world of dating and sex engage in sexually explicit messaging, also known as “sexting,” with partners and potential partners…. Read More »
How Young is Too Young? Age of Consent Laws in Florida
In Florida, the age of legal consent is 18. This means that once an individual turns 18 years old, he or she may have a sexual relationship with any other adult except for in certain situations where one adult has authority over the other, such as an inmate and a guard in a prison…. Read More »
Defending Solicitation of a Minor Charges
A recent sting operation in Okaloosa County resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals on charges stemming from allegations that they were soliciting minors for sex. According to the Navarre Press, the investigation was undertaken by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force, members of the North Florida… Read More »
Florida Lawmakers Cracking Down on Prostitution and Revenge Porn
Florida residents now have 27 new laws in effect to regulate a wide variety of violations, including prostitution and the relatively new offense of revenge porn. Lawmakers passed these statutes in May of 2015, but they are just now taking effect. Prostitution Under the new Florida law, the classification for solicitation of a prostitute… Read More »
A Lewd and Lascivious Conviction can Carry Severe Penalties
The consequences of a sex crime conviction can prove serious and life-altering. In addition to the penalties imposed by the court, the convicted party must also endure significant public scrutiny, which often begins before the court case even commences. A Florida couple received a first-hand lesson in this reality, as they faced charges for… Read More »
The Consequences of Relations with an Older Teen
Individuals who work with juveniles are held to a very high standard of behavior by the public. Whether the title is teacher, scout leader, coach or mentor, these adults are expected to act in a manner that sometimes surpasses human nature. For example, elementary school teachers are sometimes discouraged from hugging students, even if… Read More »
