It?s been dubbed the ?sex-on-the-beach? trial.
A Florida jury on Monday convicted Jose Caballero, 40, and Elissa Alvarez, 20, on charges that they had sex on Bradenton Beach in broad daylight. They face up to 15 years behind bars and will have to register as sex offenders.
Each of them faced two charges of lewd and lascivious behavior, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, the Bradenton Herald reported.
Defense attorney Ronald Kurpiers told the newspaper that Caballero and Alvarez were ?devastated? by the jury?s decision.
Prosecutors ? including the elected 12th Circuit State Attorney Ed Brodsky ? sought a conviction in the high-profile trial to make it clear that such behavior is not acceptable on the community?s public beaches.
?We?re dealing with basically tourists, that came from Brandon and Riverview and West Virginia, and they?re here on the beaches of Manatee County, our public beaches,? Assistant State Attorney Anthony Dafonseca said, according to the Herald. ?So you want to make sure that this isn?t something that just goes by the wayside. And that it is well known to the community, what will be tolerated and what won?t be.?
Prosecutors said Caballero could face the maximum 15 years because he has been out of prison for less than three years on a drug charge, but they will seek a more lenient sentence for Alvarez: 60 days in jail, though she still has to register as a sex offender, Fox affiliate WTVT reported.
Dafonseca told the station that prosecutors offered plea deals but that the pair rejected them.
Couple found guilty of having sex on a Florida beach, faces up to 15 years in prison - The Washington Post