FORT PIERCE, Fla. —A man from Fort Pierce was found guilty of abusing a child younger than 12 years old, and he was given five consecutive life sentences as a punishment.
Jason Orlando Rios, age 47, was found guilty last week, as reported by the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO), of three charges of capital sexual battery and two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a child under the age of 12.
Judge Lawrence Mirman of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court presided over the case throughout the proceedings.
According to the SLCSO, Rios was taken into custody on May 10, 2018, when detectives responded to an elementary school after receiving accusations of sexual battery.
During the course of the investigation, a total of two victims came to light, and more charges in connection with the second victim are currently pending.
Sheriff Ken Mascara was quoted as saying, “The verdict handed down by the jury and the sentence imposed by Judge Mirman are both testaments to our unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for both victims in this case.”
“Although the verdict is unable to heal the emotional wounds that this offender inflicted on his victims, it does ensure that this animal will never again put another child in danger.”
Rios is currently being held in the St. Lucie County Jail pending the outcome of the second set of accusations brought against him.
According to the SLCSO, once his second trial has concluded, he will be taken to the Florida Department of Corrections to carry out the remainder of his multiple life terms.
