Office of the State Attorney

DAYTONA BEACH – On July 23, 2015, a Volusia County Jury deliberated less than 15 minutes before returning a verdict of guilty against a transient New Smyrna Beach man. Meshac Molette Abentego, 43, was convicted of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation of a Victim Under 12 Years of Age. Prosecutors successfully sought a Prison Releasee Reoffender (PRR) designation at a sentencing hearing today, October 1, 2015 in front of Circuit Judge Leah Case. Judge Case imposed the mandatory life sentence.

 

            On July 17, 2014, Abentego, who was working as handy man for a Daytona Beach family, molested a child that lived in the home. Abentego has an extensive criminal history including convictions for aggravated assault, carrying a concealed firearm, grand theft, sale of cocaine, and attempted sexual battery, for which he was previously designated a sexual offender.

 

            Assistant State Attorney John Reid, of the State Attorney’s Career Criminal Unit, prosecuted the case. Seventh Circuit Judge Leah R. Case presided over the case and pronounced sentence.

 

Please find attached a heavily-redacted 707 and the Information.

 

For more information contact:

 

Spencer S. Hathaway

Public Information Officer / Assistant State Attorney

Office of R.J. Larizza

State Attorney, Seventh Judicial Circuit

SAOPIO@SAO7.org