Man threatened to channel spirits to demand sex with teen girl. He’ll spend decades in prison
A Bradenton man who used the Santeria religion to coerce a minor into having sex with him was sentenced Friday to 75 years in prison.
On Sept. 22, Sergio Carmona-Martinez was found guilty on five counts of sexual battery of a minor between the ages of 12 and 18. Each charge was punishable by up to 30 years each.
According to court documents, Carmona-Martinez, 56, claimed to channel spirits that would harm the victim if she denied him sex.
“Mr. Carmona-Martinez manipulated the teenage victim by placing himself in a position of trust and power,” said Assistant State Attorney Brian Chamber. “This 75-year prison sentence ensures that Mr. Carmona-Martinez never again preys upon the youth of our community.”
Santeria is an Afro-Cuban religion that includes the worship of Roman Catholic saints, offerings to the spirits and rituals that sometimes include animal sacrifices.
On Nov. 13, Carmona-Martinez will stand trial for identical charges on a separate teenage girl who claimed that he used the Santeria religion to have sex with her as well. Both girls testified during this trial.
Carmona-Martinez also received 15 years of sex offender probation and has been designated a sexual predator.
Ryan Callihan: 941-745-7095, @RCCallihan
This story was originally published November 3, 2017 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Man threatened to channel spirits to demand sex with teen girl. He’ll spend decades in prison."