Hernando County man convicted of sexually abusing child under 12, faces multiple charges for ongoing abuse

HERNANDO COUNTY, Florida — A jury has found 43-year-old Joshua Reginald Velez guilty of two counts of sexual battery on a child under 12 by a person in familial custody.Velez was arrested in December 2020 following an investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. The investigation began after the young victim disclosed the abuse to an adult, who then contacted law enforcement to report the crime.Officials made contact with the child, who reported numerous incidents of sexual abuse by Velez spanning over three different states. Detectives discovered that Velez had been abusing the victim since the victim was 10 years old, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office.The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Angelina Rodeo and Kasey Whitson.