Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on February 23, 2017, after 45 minutes of deliberation, a six-member jury found Marlon Edgardo Lara Castillo guilty as charged of one count of Lewd & Lascivious Molestation of a Victim Under the Age of 12. The child victim testified at trial that on the date of March 6, 2016, while at the Defendant’s home, the Defendant sat her on his lap and proceeded to touch her in her vaginal area, both above her clothing as well as under. The Defendant testified and admitted to the touching of the child victim, but claimed that it was accidental. The State’s evidence, however, showed that upon learning that deputies from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office wanted to discuss the allegation with him, the Defendant attempted to flee, and was apprehended with a bag full of his personal belongings, his Bible, his passport, and $900 in cash. The State’s case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys A. Michele Lucas and Christine D. Smallwood.
The Defendant is set for sentencing on March 10, 2017, and is facing a minimum mandatory sentence of 25 years in the Department of Corrections.
Contact Chief Assistant Attorney Larry Basford at (850) 819-6985 with any questions.