Suncoast: Jose Julio Espinosa was convicted after jury trial of Sexual Battery upon a child less than 12
Suncoast: Jose Julio Espinosa was convicted after jury trial of Sexual Battery upon a child less than 12
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
12TH Judicial Circuit
State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Jose Julio Espinosa was convicted after jury trial of Sexual Battery By a Person 18 Years Of Age Or Older Upon a Child Less Than 12 Years Of Age and Lewd Or Lascivious Molestation By a Person 18 Years Of Age Or Older Upon a Child Less Than 12 Years Of Age; The crimes were committed between 2009 and 2015, when the victim was under the age of 12, and were reported in 2021. The case was investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on March 12-13, 2025.
The crimes carry a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. The defendant will be designated a sexual predator. Sentencing is scheduled for May 28, 2025.
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Ashley Dusnik commented, “The State would like to thank the members of the jury for their careful consideration of this difficult case. We appreciate the efforts of law enforcement, specifically Det. Bryan Lake of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children unit, in securing this conviction. The State commends the victim for her strength and bravery in disclosing the acts of sexual abuse she endured as a child after keeping this secret for so many years.”
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney Ashley Dusnik in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.