Hernando County man found guilty of sexually abusing a child

HERNANDO COUNTY, Florida. – Joshua Reginald Velez, 43, was found guilty last week on two counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12 by a person in family care.

“Today, justice was served because a brave child found the courage to speak out and a trusted adult chose to listen and act,” said Fifth Judicial District Attorney Bill Gladson. “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 offender to justice.”

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Velez's arrest in December 2020 followed an investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office that was sparked when the young victim confided in an adult about the abuse, who immediately alerted police.

The child described numerous incidents of sexual abuse by Velez in three different states, with the abuse beginning when the victim was just 10 years old.

Assistant District Attorneys Angelina Rodeo and Kasey Whitson successfully prosecuted the case.

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