Man convicted again for child rape. Now, he’ll likely die in prison

A man with a prior conviction for sexually abusing a child has been found guilty by Sarasota jury of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in 2003.

Shane Bozeman Sr., 48, will likely die in prison.

Bozeman was found guilty on Thursday of two counts of sexual battery on a child between the ages of 12 and 18 years of age. Following the verdict, Circuit Judge Thomas Krug sentenced Bozeman to 60 years in prison, the maximum sentence permitted.

“The true hero in this case is the adult victim who was finally brave enough to disclose all of the abuse endured at the hands of the defendant,” Assistant State Attorney Kristina Lawrence said in an issued statement. ... Children often disclose only pieces of their abuse. Later on, when children mature into adults, sometimes they are able to find healing from their abuse and summon the courage to talk about the full range of their abuse.”

Allegations against Bozeman were first reported in 2004, but it was not until March 2016 that the victim in the case disclosed what Bozeman had done to him to a detective at the urging of loved ones. At the time of the disclosure, Bozeman was in prison in Ohio finishing an eight-year sentence for raping a child, and there were fears about Bozeman returning and sexually abusing more children.

“Thankfully, Detective Stephanie Graham from the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office was diligent and determined to investigate the case and bring justice for these victims of sexual abuse,” Lawrence said.

In July 2003, Bozeman had given victim and his two sisters Scotch whisky to drink. Later when the victim’s sisters had gone to bed, Bozeman took the boy who was then drunk to his bedroom and sexually abused him.

Three other witness at trial testified that they were sexually abused by Bozeman. Investigators say they have found evidence that Bozeman had sexually abused an additional four children.

Bozeman also has prior charges of sexual battery of a child from 1988 and 1989, according to prosecutors.

This story was originally published November 17, 2017 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Man convicted again for child rape. Now, he’ll likely die in prison."