BUNNELL, Fla. — A 70-year-old Cuban national living illegally in the United States has been sentenced to prison followed by certain deportation for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in Palm Coast. The sentencing brings a close to a high-profile case that began when the victim was discovered living in a tent with the suspect behind a local gas station.
On January 7, 2026, Jose Valerio-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges before Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols.
The Sentence: Prison and Strict Supervision
Following a negotiated plea agreement, Valerio-Rodriguez was sentenced to:
- 6 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.
- 9 years of sex offender probation.
- Lifetime registration as a sexual offender.
In exchange for his guilty plea on the counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor and two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Touching, prosecutors dropped one additional count of child abuse.
Federal Detainer and Deportation
Because Valerio-Rodriguez is in the country illegally, his time in the United States is officially coming to an end. Following the completion of his prison sentence—at which point he will be approximately 75 years old—he will be transferred directly to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for deportation to Cuba.
Sheriff Staly’s Scathing Statement
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, who has monitored the case since the Major Case Unit first rescued the teen in February 2025, expressed his disdain for the defendant’s actions and his abuse of the American legal system.
“Valerio-Rodriguez is a disgusting pervert who coerced and sexually assaulted a teen through drugs and fear,” Sheriff Staly said. “Valerio-Rodriguez came illegally into this country and later assaulted a teenager. Had he committed these crimes in his homeland of Cuba, he would have faced the death penalty and likely not given the rights he exercised in America, so instead of taking advantage of America and assaulting our citizens, he should have been thankful.”
Investigation Recap
The case was cracked by Detective First Class Kathryn Gordon after the missing 16-year-old returned home and identified “Jose” as the man who had sexually assaulted her while she stayed in a tent in the woods. The Cuban national was arrested in March 2025. The FCSO successfully utilized DNA evidence and search warrants to secure the arrest and the subsequent conviction.
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