A Panama City man was given two Life sentences Thursday after being found guilty as charged of sexually abusing a teenage girl, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Michael Howard Bertok, 64, was found guilty Thursday of Lewd and Lascivious Battery and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. In addition to the 2 Life sentences, the defendant was designated as a Sexual Predator.
Jurors took about 30 minutes to reach the verdicts after Prosecutor Morgan Morrell presented the State’s case and made her closing argument.
“This was an important case because the victim had the courage to testify, and she got her truth out,” Morrell said. “This defendant will never again have a chance to harm one of our children.”
Morgan called 3 witnesses, including the victim, and presented evidence proving that the defendant made sexual advances, molested and sexually abused a 14-year-old during 2023.
The activity was disclosed after the defendant was in jail on unrelated charges. The Panama City Police Department initiated the investigation. The Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a forensics interview with the victim, who detailed the abuse. The defendant was charged with the offenses while still in custody on the earlier charge.
Morrell said it is important for victims of sexual abuse to know they can come forward, that help is available, and that the person who abused them will be held accountable.
“With the expertise of the GCCAC available in our circuit, we helped be our victim’s voice,” Morrell said. “With their help we will continue to prosecute these cases and seek justice for these child victims.”
Basford thanked the Panama City Police Department for its investigation, and the GCCAC for again providing the type of professional interview resources that help resolve such cases.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.