Rudolfo Palermo, 43, will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a jury convicted him of committing sex acts against a minor and tampering with a witness by trying to deter the victim from testifying in court, said a news release.
The Plant City man committed the crimes only months after being released from Florida State Prison where he was serving a sentence on separate sex charges.
Palermo was found guilty of two counts of sexual battery, two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation, one count of lewd or lascivious battery, and two counts of tampering with a witness. The defendant received four life sentences followed by 45 years for violating the conditions of his probation.
“The victim courageously testified against this monster in court. This defendant will never prey on another innocent child again. He will spend the rest of his days in a prison cell and will never have the chance to walk the streets of Hillsborough County again. Four life sentences is the only appropriate punishment for committing such horrific acts against a vulnerable and defenseless victim,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Jessica Couvertier and Assistant State Attorney Briana Zupko. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.