PANAMA CITY, FL – State Attorney Larry Basford announced Monday that a man convicted earlier this month of sexually abusing a child has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.
James Matthew Hernandez, 37, must serve a minimum-mandatory 25 years of that sentence. Circuit Court Judge Dustin Stephenson also designated Hernandez a Sexual Predator and imposed a lifetime of probation following his release.
The defendant elected to have Judge Stephenson decide the case rather than a jury.
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At the March 11 trial, Prosecutor Morgan McAfee presented evidence and called witnesses, including the victim – who was under the age of 10 at the time of the 2022 crime.
“This outcome demonstrates our dedication to protecting the innocence of the children of Bay County and punishing those who violate it,” McAfee said.
Basford also thanked the Parker Police Department and the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center for their work and dedication in bringing this case to justice.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov.