On Monday (Nov 6), Circuit Judge Donna Goerner sentenced Gumersindo REYES JR (55), to thirty (30) years in state prison after a Seminole County Jury convicted him on October 4, 2023, for Aggravated Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer - Great Bodily Harm (F1), and Resisting an Officer with Violence (F3), stemming from an incident at the Seminole County Jail in 2022.

 

In a three-day trial with evidence presented by Assistant State Attorney Anna Valentini, the jury deliberated just over one (1) hour before returning with the guilty as charged verdicts. REYES was classified as a Habitual Violent Felony Offender, and Prison Release Re-offender, meaning he must serve the full 30 year sentence. Judge Goerner also imposed a 66.9 month sentence for Count 2, Resisting with Violence (served concurrently). REYES JR was credited with 587 days for time served.

 

On March 28, 2022, Inmate REYES refused to allow Seminole County Corrections Deputies to remove steel hand restraints placed on him after a court appearance earlier that day. Several verbal commands were given for REYES to comply, however he violently attacked deputies using the hand restraints as a weapon. REYES struck a deputy multiple times in the head with the restraints, opening large lacerations and causing serious permanent injuries. REYES then fought with assisting deputies who were eventually able to take him into secure custody.

 

After the sentencing ASA Valentini said, "Our law enforcement professionals serve in a dangerous, challenging and demanding profession. This sentence sends a clear message that intentionally attacking and injuring our deputies will carry a very harsh penalty."

 

After the sentencing, REYES was returned to custody at the Seminole County Jail and will be transferred to the Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.