Yesterday (Aug 4), Circuit Judge Tesha Ballou sentenced Richard STORK (36), to three (3) life terms in state prison after a Brevard Jury convicted him July 21, 2022, on two (2) counts of Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12 (CF), and one (1) count of Lewd or Lacivious Molestation of a Child Under 12 by a Person 18 or Older (LF), for incidents involving a 5-year old child. Judge Ballou also ordered the sentences be served concurrently, STORK pay $1004 in court costs, and be credited with 1247 days for time served.

 

In a trial that lasted three (3) days, Assistant State Attorneys Nader Hatoum and William Scheiner presented evidence to the jury who deliberated just over 2 hours before returning with the guilty verdicts.

 

In March of 2019, Titusville Police investigated a report that a five-year old child had revealed to a classmate, who revealed to a school official, that she had been repeatedly assaulted by STORK on multiple occasions. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation along with statements made by STORK admitting to some sexual activity with the victim, he was arrested on March 7, 2019.

 

In a statement after last year's trial verdict ASA Nader Hatoum said, "No child should ever have to endure the nightmare of being repeatedly abused at the hands of an adult. What STORK did was predatory, cruel, and unforgivable. We're incredibly grateful to the jury for believing in this victim and demanding STORK forfeit any possibility of freedom as a consequence."