Lake County prosecutors are the first to seek death on child sex charge
Lake County prosecutors confirmed today they will seek the death penalty against Joseph Andrew Giampa for child sex charges under the new statute.
I previously posted about a capital sex case in Polk County in which the State could seek the death penalty under the new capital sex statute.1 It appears the State will not seek the death penalty in that case.
Today, prosecutors in Lake County became the first in the State to confirm they will seek the death penalty under the new statute, filing their Notice of Intent to Seek Death Penalty against Joseph Andrew Giampa.
Giampa was arrested in November. (Here’s an article from Leesburg News.) The Information dated November 15, 2023, listed two counts of Sexual Battery Upon Person Under Twelve Years of Age. On December 4, Giampa pled not guilty to all charges.
On Thursday, a grand jury indicted Giampa with six counts of Sexual Battery Upon Person Under Twelve Years of Age and three counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child.
Thursday, Prosecutors filed their Notice of Intent to Seek Death Penalty against Giampa, listing four aggravating factors:
The State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Circuit issued a press release about the Notice, writing in full:
(Lake County, FL)- State Attorney, William “Bill” Gladson, announces the grand jury indictment of Joseph Andrew Giampa.
Giampa has been indicted for six counts of Sexual Battery Upon a Person Under Twelve Years of Age and three counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child.
Given the severity of the crime and its impact on the community, the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office has filed a notice that it intends to seek the death penalty pursuant to Florida Statutes 794.011(2)(a) and 921.1425.
The decision to pursue the highest penalty reflects the gravity of the charges and the State Attorney’s Office’s dedication to holding criminals accountable for their actions. The State Attorney's Office acknowledges the sensitivity of this matter and the impact it has on the community. Our commitment to ensuring justice and protecting the vulnerable remains unwavering.
As legal proceedings unfold, our office asks for respect for the legal process and the privacy of those involved. We will continue to work diligently to bring this case to a just resolution.
Twitter
Supporters of the new statute, including Gov. DeSantis, took to Twitter tonight to celebrate what they call a “milestone.”
News Article
For more on this new statute, visit the TFDP archive.