A 40-year-old Central Florida gang member was sentenced for sex crimes against children.
An Orange County jury found Rafael Garcia Sanchez guilty of two counts of Lewd/Lascivious Exhibition (By Person 18 YOA or Older, Victim less than 16 YOA), three counts of Lewd or Lascivious Conduct (By a Person >17) and Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office arrested the defendant, a known gang member by his own admission, after it was discovered he forced the children to watch him perform sexual acts on an adult. He also forced one child to commit acts against their will on an adult. On another occasion, the defendant sexually battered one of the victims.
The two child victims reported the acts to family members, who contacted law enforcement and child protection investigators.
After a three-day trial in Orlando, a jury found Garcia Sanchez guilty on all charges.
The judge sentenced him to life in prison for the Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12 charge and over 22 years in prison for the remaining charges.
