GAINESVILLE - Sentencing will be held soon for a Gainesville man convicted of aggravated sodomy in Hall County Superior Court, and the minimum sentence for that crime is 25 years behind bars.
Hall County DA Lee Darragh said he hopes Wednesday's conviction of 28-year-old Javier Gutierrez-Pena will send a message to other offenders.
"When someone is convicted of a serious sexual offense, [it is my hope] that those who would contemplate committing similar offenses might take note and perhaps stop themselves from doing so," said Darragh.
Darragh said Guitierrez-Pena committed the crime against a solitary victim in April 2011 at the Harrison Square Apartments in Gainesville. He said the defendent was cleared of other charges in the case.
In addition to the mandatory 25-year sentence, the conviction carries with it a punishment of lifetime on probation. Darragh said he anticipated sentencing to take place quickly, although he had no specific sentencing date.
The case was tried in the courtroom of Judge Jason Deal.
Thursday
May 2nd, 2024
6:20AM
