Ocala courthouse: 10-year prison term for woman, 44, convicted of sex abuse of a child
A 44-year-old woman found guilty at trial late last month of two counts each of sexual battery on a child and lewd and lascivious molestation of a child has been sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by 20 years of sex offender probation.
Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon told the defendant that her decision was a downward departure from state sentencing guidelines. Heather Ann Reyes could have been sentenced to life behind bars. The judge said the defendant should have no contact with the victim or any minors except for her own children.
When she's released from prison, Reyes must register as a sexual predator. She also must pay fines and court costs, undergo a sex offender evaluation at her own expense and submit a DNA sample. She is credited with 36 days already served at the Marion County Jail.
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At a sentencing hearing on Tuesday, nearly a dozen people spoke on Reyes' behalf. They included her mother, brother, employer, a retired pastor and friends.
They all sat behind Reyes' lawyer, Mark D. Shelnutt. Reyes appeared at the hearing via video link from the Marion County Jail, where she has been held since the guilty verdict was returned.
The victim, his family and friends sat behind Assistant State Attorney Adam Smith. The victim's name is not being released by the Star-Banner because at the time of the reported incidents he was a juvenile.
Reyes and the victim speak
From a prepared statement, Reyes told the judge that she was innocent of the charges and asked for leniency. She said her focus is on her children, family and friends.
Now 23, the victim also read a prepared statement in court. He said he has been affected by what Reyes did to him -- physical and sexual abuse -- and that she took away his innocence.
He recalled the times he was abused by Reyes and said he has suffered health issues.
When it was his turn to speak, Shelnutt insisted that the timeline of abuse just doesn't add up and asked why no one blew the whistle while the alleged abuse was occurring.
"Mrs. Reyes is not guilty. An innocent woman was convicted," the lawyer said.
He said he could have brought 100 people to testify in support of Reyes. Shelnutt called his client "a solid citizen" who has no prior record and doesn't deserve to be punished.
Smith, in his rebuttal, said what Reyes did to the victim was "terrible and disgusting." He said she should be sentenced to 30 years in prison and two years of probation.
The case dates back several years
In August 2018, Reyes surrendered to authorities after it was alleged she had sexually abused a child. Sheriff's Office officials said Reyes had sexual liaisons with the boy.
In mid-December, a jury – six women and one man – deliberated less than two hours before reaching a verdict.
'I still believe in her'
At Tuesday's hearing, speaker after speaker told the court although Reyes was arrested and convicted by a jury of her peers, they still do not believe she committed the offenses.
"I still believe in her," said Donald Vining, a retired pastor and businessman.
One woman said Reyes was the captain of the woman's soccer team. She trusts her completely.
"I don't believe she did it," the woman said.
Reyes' mother and brother, who spoke individually, said Reyes was wrongfully convicted. Reyes' mother begged the judge for leniency.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Guilty at trial, woman gets 10 years in prison for child sex abuse
