San Pedro Man Jailed Nearly 10 Years for Sexual Assault of Child

Island resident, 45-year-old, Fidel Medina, was today sentenced by Justice Candace Nanton to nearly a decade in prison for the sexual assault of a child, following a mitigation plea hearing in the High Court.  Medina received a sentence of 9 years and 7 months for the offense of assault of a child by penetration and 2 years and 7 months for sexual assault. Justice Nanton ordered that both sentences run concurrently, meaning Medina will serve a total of 9 years and 7 months behind bars.  The sentence follows a trial on Thursday, November 13, where Medina was found guilty on two of three sexual offense charges. The court found him guilty of assault of a child under sixteen by penetration and sexual assault of the child.  He was found not guilty on a third count of sexual assault. The victim, who was nine years old at the time of the offenses, testified in camera, recounting two occasions between April 1 and June 12, 2023, where Medina touched her, including a finger penetration and touching her breast. Medina, who was 43 at the time of the offense, remained silent during the trial, although the defense had previously denied the penetration and claimed the touching of the breast was accidental.  Following a two-year deduction for mitigating factors and a five-month deduction for time served in pre-trial custody, the final sentence for assault by penetration was set at 9 years and 7 months.  For the sexual assault charge, the court imposed a sentence that included deductions for Medina’s good character, bringing the final sentence to 2 years and 7 months, which will run alongside the longer term.  During the mitigation plea, Medina’s attorney, Abibi Moguel, called three women from his neighborhood on San Pedro Ambergris Caye, a cook, a housekeeper, and another neighbor, who spoke well of his character, describing him as humble, helpful, trustworthy, and caring.  The Crown was represented by Crown Counsel Joseph Perez of the DPP’s office.