Today a Cape Coral man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty at trial of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation and Lewd or Lascivious Conduct. Barbaro Heriberto Mesa Rodriguez was also given lifetime sex offender probation to follow his prison term.
The defendant, who is now 29 years old, had been sexually abusing a girl less than 12 years of age.
We want to thank the Cape Coral Police Department who worked closely with our prosecutors to establish where the abuse took place as well as helping to locate a key piece of evidence. A Cape Coral Police detective was able to find the room where the crime occurred and a photo of the distinctive painting in the room that corroborated the statements of the young victim. The home had a new homeowner and the room had been altered. The hard work of the police detective helped to bring together the evidence needed.
Assistant State Attorneys Mike Colombo of our Special Victims Unit and Assistant Felony Chief Tyler Lovejoy handled the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org