American men sexually abused ten-year-old girls and poured bleach on their victims

Asia Pacific Daily Shannon

A man in Tampa, Florida, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for molesting and sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl and trying to rinse her with bleach to destroy evidence of the crime.

Lewis-Matthews, 43, was convicted of four separate felonies after a three-day trial earlier this month. He was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Kimberly Fernandez for sexually assaulting a victim under the age of 12. In addition, he was sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment for tampering with physical evidence and 25 years each for committing two felonies of obscenity or indecency against victims under the age of 12.

Hillsborough County state attorney Andrew Warren said in a statement: "It's heartbreaking to sit in court and look at the victim sitting on the witness stand — she was sexually abused by someone who was supposed to take care of her." That's why I'm so proud of the work that our prosecutors have done. They hold these criminals accountable, stand in the victim's shoes and send them away forever. ”

According to Warren's office, the 10-year-old told investigators, as well as in court, about the night she slept on the living room floor during a visit from her mother's boyfriend.

Victims claim that at about 3:30 a.m. on April 13, 2019, Matthews woke her up, took off her clothes, and molested her. He was interrupted when her mother, Matthews's girlfriend, heard the noise and went downstairs.

Prosecutors said the mother was "stunned by her discovery" and quickly dialed 911. While she was still on the phone, Matthews quickly grabbed the girl and two other children who lived at home and put them in the car. When their mother shouted "don't go with Matthews," he drove to a nearby gas station.

Prosecutors said Matthews took the girl into the store, picked up a bottle of Clorox brand bleach from the shelf and took her to the store's bathroom. He then ordered the girl to take off her clothes and rinse her with bleach. Still, investigators found traces of Matthews' DNA on the girl's body, clothes, and underwear that Matthews threw in the gas station bin.

The jury found Matthews on four felony charges. Warren said: "We are going to actively prosecute these kinds of cases, and those who sexually abuse their children should spend the rest of their lives in prison." ”

(Source: Asia Pacific Daily APD News)