This morning, Jesus Francisco Santana Perez, was sentenced to life in prison on two counts of Human Trafficking, as a Habitual Felony Offender. He was also sentenced to 15 years in prison on each of three counts of Lewd Battery on a Child and one count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for Delivery of a Controlled Substance to a Minor. Perez was also designated a Sexual Predator. He was found guilty at trial in March in Lee County.
Santana Perez provided children in Lehigh Acres with illegal drugs and alcohol and then sexually exploited them over a six-month period in 2019. During the trial, the victims, their family members, and child trauma experts testified to the crimes committed. The State also presented documentary evidence sourced from social media to corroborate the allegations.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office worked tirelessly to investigate this case and assisted the State in obtaining these guilty verdicts.
“This case highlights the need for our continued focus on stopping human trafficking. Victims are being targeted right here in Southwest Florida and we must prosecute those who prey on people and sell them into a life of illicit drugs and sexual exploitation. My office will continue to prosecute and send these predators to prison where they belong,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
Special Victims Unit Chief Francine Donnorummo and Assistant State Attorney Lindsay Scott-Garza prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office