A Texas man was given consecutive sentences totaling 45 years in prison today for the 2012 sexual battery and molestation of a 14-year-old girl, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Orlin Antonio Garcia, 49, was found guilty in February of Sexual Battery and Lewd & Lascivious Molestation. Circuit Court Judge Timothy Register Monday sentenced him to the maximum on both charges – 30 years and 15 years respectively – and ordered the sentences served consecutively. The defendant was also designated as a Sexual Predator.
Prosecutor Jeffrey Moore said the stiff sentence was more than proper, it represented justice for the young victim who had to live with the trauma of the crime for over a decade and then testify in the 2026 trial.
“This is a fitting sentence for our victim,” Moore said. “It was an emotional and difficult process for her, but she walked through it, the jury believed her, and today the judge reinforced that with the maximum sentence.”
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The victim, now 27, testified the sexual attacks took place during 2012 but she was too frightened to report them and did not think anyone would believe her. She said the defendant threatened to kill her and her family if she disclosed the assaults.
“I have absolutely nothing to gain. I just want my truth to be heard,” the victim testified at trial. “I have the courage now, I’m brave enough, I’m not scared anymore.”
Basford thanked the Bay County Sheriff’s Office for its thorough investigation of the case, and the victim for her courage.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.