Posts Tagged ‘ Viera ’

by Kevin Gillick

The grandmother of a young girl who was sexually assaulted, says the child’s abuser doesn’t deserve to be released.

Richard Lee Brown, 63,  stood silently, listening to the woman’s sob-choked comments to Judge Robert T.  Burger, on June 23rd, in Viera. Brown was sentenced to serve 354 days in jail followed by eight years of probation, for sexually abusing a four year-old girl.

Brown was arrested by Cocoa Police in September 2010, charged with one count of Lewd Conduct with a Child, and one count of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Child Under 12. Defense Attorney Michael Kelley negotiated a plea agreement calling for Brown to plead guilty to the “Lewd Conduct” charge, in exchange for the probation sentence.  State prosecutors dropped the second count, which could have sent Brown to prison for life. The State Attorney agreed not to file charges relating to child pornography, reportedly found in Brown’s possession.  

Due to the age of his victim, Brown will be registered as a Sexual Offender for the rest of his life.  He must wear a G.P.S. tracking device, and complete a sex offender therapy program. Brown was given credit for 275 days of time served in jail since his arrest. Judge Burger agreed to waive the costs of supervision for the first year of his probation.

His attorney said he expects Brown to be “homeless” when he is released from custody.  Local ordinances prohibit Brown from residing in his Cocoa home because it is located within 1.000 feet of a school. Kelley said his client, who has awaited sentencing in the Brevard County Jail since pleading “Guilty” in May,  might relocate to Georgia to complete his sentence. 

The tearful grandmother – the only family member to address the court, hurried from the Moore Justice Center after making her statement.

Court Monitors from Protect Our Children were present for the hearing.

View Richard L. Brown’s current status: http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveOffenders/detail.asp?Bookmark=1&From=list&SessionID=448003557

by Kevin Gillick

Despite claims that he has found religion in jail, as well as expert testimony suggesting he is unlikely to reoffend, Gilbert Viruet (50) was sentenced to serve thirty-five years in prison followed by five years of probation. 

Judge David Dugan made the ruling January 28, in Viera,  brushing aside Viruet’s attempt to reduce the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation, that resulted from his plea agreement last August. 

Charged originally with 110, felony sex crimes, Viruet could have received a life sentence for each charge.  All but six counts were dropped according to the terms of  the plea bargain.

The victim, now sixteen, said she was sexually assaulted “…two or three times per week”,  beginning at the age of seven and continuing through age  thirteen.  She read a statement describing how Viruet would chase her around the house and drag her into the bedroom.

Standing at the podium, flanked by a victim advocate, the child said she suffers from sleep disorders and a compulsion to cut herself.  She told the court that on several occasions, she pressed Viruet’s own handgun to her head and considered suicide.

Viruet’s attorney, Stephan Mays, told the court that his client had a law enforcement background and a clean criminal record.  He said Viruet is a former police officer who once worked for the security firm: Blackwater.  Mays asked the court to depart from the terms of the plea agreement and sentence his client to probation.

Viruet testified that he is “…not same man who was arrested in 2008.” He said he has found a new relationship with God and wanted to help others who sexually abuse children. 

Psychologist,  Dr. Ted Shaw also took the stand for the defense.  A specialist in sexual disorders,  he said Viruet suffers from pedophilia.  Shaw told the court that according to his evaluation, he considered Viruet to be in a class of offenders who are least likely to reoffend. The court designated Viruet as a Sexual Predator – the class of sex offender deemed most likely to reoffend. 

Judge Dugan deducted nearly three years from the prison sentence, crediting Viruet for the time he has spent in jail, since his arrest in March 2008.

Court Monitors from Protect Our Children were in attendance for the hearing.