PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — An 82-year-old former educator who worked with migrant families in Putnam County has been sentenced to life in prison following a three-day trial involving the abuse of a child whose family he had been helping.
Gilberto Del Castillo-Espana, 82, was found guilty by a jury after approximately 30 minutes of deliberations. Judge Washington subsequently sentenced him to life in prison, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Del Castillo-Espana was arrested in 2024, a development that shocked members of the South Putnam community, where he had been regarded as a trusted figure.
Victim Said Former Educator Threatened to Kill Parents
According to the sheriff’s office, Del Castillo-Espana used his position of trust within migrant worker families to gain access to vulnerable children.
During the investigation, the victim told detectives that Del Castillo-Espana threatened to kill the child’s parents if the abuse was disclosed.
The child’s father told deputies he had initially been reluctant to report the allegations because his family was living in the United States without legal immigration status.
He also told investigators that he noticed changes in his child’s behavior, including nightmares, following encounters with Del Castillo-Espana.
Former Teacher Worked With Migrant Families for Years
Del Castillo-Espana previously worked as a teacher and served as the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) coordinator for the Putnam County School District from 2002 to 2015.
The position placed him in contact with migrant families and other students requiring language assistance.
Putnam County Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach said Del Castillo-Espana exploited the trust he had established in the community.
“This vile individual used his position of trust to silence victims through grooming, intimidation and bullying,” DeLoach said.
“He was considered a beloved figure because he had manipulated communities to believe he was helping our migrant families. This bought silence, and I cannot imagine the ridicule the victim’s family endured because everyone trusted him. Now the truth has come to light, and Del Castillo Espana will live out his twilight years in a cage.”
Jury Returns Guilty Verdict After 30 Minutes
Del Castillo-Espana’s case went to trial this week, with proceedings lasting three days.
After hearing the evidence, jurors deliberated for approximately 30 minutes before returning a guilty verdict.
Judge Washington sentenced Del Castillo-Espana to life in prison.
DeLoach thanked the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit and State Attorney R.J. Larizza’s staff for their work prosecuting the case.
“I want to thank the State Attorney, Florida’s 7th Circuit and RJ Larizza’s staff for seeing this case to its final result in not only securing a guilty verdict but also ensuring Del Castillo Espana can never take away another child’s innocence,” DeLoach said.