Today (Jan 12), Circuit Judge Robert Segal sentenced James HOSE (47), to Life in Prison after a Brevard County Jury convicted him on November 17, 2022, of five (5) Counts of Sexual Battery on a Child Under 12 (CF), and one (1) Count each of Lewd & Lascivious Molestation on Child Under 12 (LF); Lewd & Lascivious Conduct (F2); and Providing Obscene Material to Minor (F3), stemming from the ongoing sexual abuse of a child from age 6 to age 11. Judge Segal ordered five life sentences without parole for counts 1 to 5, one life sentence for count 6, with 15 years and 5 years in prison for counts 7 and 8 respectively. All the sentences will be served concurrently.

After a seven-day trial with evidence and testimony presented by Assistant State Attorneys Mark Campbell and Clarissa Harrell, the jury deliberated just under 3.5 hours before returning with the eight guilty as charged verdicts.

In an effort to protect the identity of the victim, we’re limiting details of the investigation and only identifying that the crimes occurred within the City of Palm Bay over the course of several years. The abuse was reported to Palm Bay Police and after approximately a weeklong investigation, HOSE was arrested on April 15, 2015.

In a statement after the sentencing ASA Campbell thanked the jury for their thoughtful deliberations and Judge Segal for holding HOSE responsible for his crimes. He also recognized ASA Harrell and Victim Advocate Christina Vinson who contributed countless hours of effort preparing the case for trial.

“This case was heartbreaking, and I can’t begin to express my gratitude and how incredibly brave the victim has been throughout this long and difficult process.” Campbell went on to say, “For years HOSE inflicted physical and psychological trauma on a child, all for his own selfish gratification. He’s earned every day of those six life sentences, and I hope he wakes up at night, every night, knowing he’s never getting out. It’s not enough in my book, but it’s a real good start.”