PANAMA CITY — A man who impregnated a juvenile, mentally-disabled family member during a forced sexual act has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, according to court documents.
Andres Pena, 48, was sentenced Wednesday after pleading no contest to a charge of sexual battery by a familial or custodial authority. Pena was sentenced under the Jessica Lunsford Act and sentenced to the maximum prison time of 25 years, court documents stated.
Prosecutors intended to use statements the child, a 17-year-old at the time with the mental development of a 15-year-old, told her mother and a Children’s Advocacy Center agent in the trial of Pena. During their taped interview, the girl said in September 2014 that Pena confronted her in their home one day and forced himself upon her, according to court documents filed by the prosecution.
Afterward, Pena told her not to tell anyone. He said the would go to jail if she did, the girl told investigators. However, the victim did tell her mother about the incident in the days that followed.
As an investigation began, the victim’s mother administered two pregnancy tests on the victim. Both came back positive, court records stated.
Pena received the maximum confinement of 25 years in prison Wednesday for the charge of sexual battery by a familial or custodial authority. Pena, of Panama City, also will permanently carry the label of a sex offender.