(Hernando County, FL) Last week, in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Daniel B. Merritt, jurors found 43-year-old Joshua Reginald Velez guilty of two counts of Sexual Battery upon a Child under 12 years of age by a Person in Familial Custody.

“Justice was served today because a brave child found the courage to speak up, and a trusted adult chose to listen and act,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “Protecting our children requires the vigilance and commitment of everyone in our community. We are grateful for the trust placed in us to bring this predator to justice.”

Velez was originally arrested in December of 2020, following a Hernando County Sheriff’s Office investigation after the young victim disclosed to an adult the abuse committed by Velez. The adult then contacted law enforcement to report the crime.

Officials made contact with the child who advised of numerous incidents of sexual abuse by Velez, spanning over three different states.  Detectives launched a thorough investigation, which revealed Velez had been abusing the victim since the victim was 10 years old.

This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Angelina Rodeo and Kasey Whitson.

Published on 09/09/2024.