In what can only be described as a travesty of justice, a Florida couple faces 15 years in jail and must register as sex offenders after getting intimate on a public beach.
According to court details, Jose Caballero and Elissa Alvarez were charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious behavior after they were caught having sex on Bradenton Beach in Florida. The act was filmed by one beachgoer, which was shown during trial, and another witness testified that a 3-year-old girl witnessed the scene. After just a day and a half of court and a meager 15 minutes of jury deliberations, the pair was found guilty on both counts, and the decision will impact them for the rest of their lives.
First off, the convictions carry a maximum of 15 years in prison. The Assistant State Attorney said they’ll pursue jail time for Alvarez and the maximum 15-year prison sentence for Caballero, who has already spent time in prison on a drug charge. Even more, in the unlikely event that they avoid time in the slammer, because of the conviction, both Caballero and Alvarez will have to register as sex offenders for at least the next 10 years.
Not surprisingly, Caballero’s mother did not agree with the harsh decision.
“There are other things out there we need to worry about, and they’re still loose, people who have done worse stuff.”
Why It’s So Egregious
What an utter waste of taxpayers money to pursue the lengthy prosecution of a couple engaged in sexual conduct on a public beach. Seriously? The harsh reality is that these two are both forced to register as sex offenders because they knew or should have known that they little dalliance was viewed by a minor. 10 years these two have to register, as if they raped and molested a child?
But here’s the kicker. How about the fact that THE ELECTED COUNTY ATTORNEY helped to try this case. It was only newsworthy due to the sex appeal and appreciating there was ample evidence with video, out of state tourists who would testify as witnesses and a defendant who had been to prison on a previous drug conviction led to a layup for the county attorney.
This is the stupidest prosecution ever.
