Special to the Lake Okeechobee News
LABELLE -- A Clewiston man was found guilty Dec. 22 in a sexual battery case.
Following a non-jury trial in Hendry County, Rafael Gonzalez Santiago, 41, of Clewiston, was found guilty of Sexual Battery, Burglary with Assault or Battery, False Imprisonment, and Robbery.
The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene of a home invasion on June 13, 2019. The defendant cut the power to a home in Clewiston then entered the residence. He then robbed and sexually battered the elderly occupant.
According to the report, a man who learned of Gonzalez’s plan, contacted law enforcement as the crime was happening. Deputies got to the scene swiftly and saw Gonzalez running from the home. He was then taken into custody.
