Jose Amaya, 35, of Naples, was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to the maximum of 15 years in prison, for one count of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation. He was found guilty at trial in September, in Collier County.
In April 2019, the defendant picked up the child victim from her home, under the pretense that the victim would help clean the office at his business, JD Auto repair in Collier County. The victim cleaned the office and requested to return home. The defendant refused and took away her cell phone.
The victim then spent the rest of the day with the defendant, traveling to various locations. He then brought her back to his business and locked her in a building. Amaya returned later and sexually molested her.
The victim was able to get her cell phone from the defendant and call her guardian. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and their investigation led to the arrest of the defendant.
Assistant State Attorney Natalie Stowe Heiderscheit prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen – Communications Director, State Attorney’s Office