Man convicted of having sex on Bradenton Beach sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison
MANATEE -- The man convicted in May of having sex on Bradenton Beach nearly a year ago was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Monday.
Jose Caballero, 40, was found guilty of having sex on a public beach in broad daylight with Elissa Alvarez, 21, on July 20, 2014. Nearby witnesses caught the two on video, with Alvarez moving on top of Caballero in a sexual manner, and testified that a then 3-year-old girl saw the act. Both were convicted on two counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition.
"Our office had discretion, and we felt that 2 1/2 years was something that not only held him accountable but also reflected his
past history, as well," said Anthony Dafonseca, assistant state attorney.
Alvarez was sentenced to time served in May, but Dafonseca said they sought more time for Caballero because of his previous conviction and eight years in prison for cocaine trafficking. Originally, the prosecution filed paperwork to seek the maximum 15 years in prison for Caballero, but dropped that move soon after the guilty verdict.
Ronald Kurpiers, defense attorney for Caballero, said he didn't try to lower the sentence because otherwise the prosecution could reinstate the 15-year sentence.
"Do I believe, personally, that 2 1/2 years is something that he should have to do? The answer is no," Kurpiers said, adding that he was grateful that the prosecution offered the same amount of prison time that they had in a plea deal before trial. "But I was caught between a rock and a hard place."
Caballero and Alvarez have to register as sex offenders. That means neither will be allowed to reside within 1,000 feet of a school, child care facility, park or playground and have to register with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. They must register with a sheriff's office within 48 hours every time they change their residences, vehicles, email addresses or Internet identifiers, according to state law.
Kurpiers called making them register as sex offenders, "horrifically unfair."
"I don't believe that his sex offender registration is applicable with what he's convicted of," Kurpiers said.
Kurpiers said he plans to appeal the case, including the sex offender registration, and Caballero was granted indigent status for the appeal in court. Alvarez filed an appeal in her case in June.
Alvarez was in the courtroom Monday, and she and Caballero are still a couple, according to Kurpiers. Alvarez declined to comment.
The Florida Department of Corrections estimated that the cost of imprisoning each inmate per day in fiscal year 2013-14 was $49.49, so Caballero's prison time will cost about $45,160. He will not have to serve probation after his prison time and gets credit for time served since he was found guilty on May 4.
Caballero also made a request in court to stay in a prison close to Manatee County in order to be closer to his ill father, who is confined to a wheelchair and has suffered a stroke, according to Kurpiers. Judge Gilbert Smith said that was a request to make to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Kate Irby, Herald online/political reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7055. You can follow her on Twitter @KateIrby
This story was originally published July 7, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Man convicted of having sex on Bradenton Beach sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison ."