Vermeal given 9 years in prison
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The defendant, Joseph Vermeal, 52, was given the nine-year sentence Wednesday by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley following a sentencing hearing. Since the crime involves the molestation of a child under 13, Vermeal will be required to serve his entire sentence with no option for early release.
Vermeal was convicted this March following a jury trial in which his victim, now 10, testified the defendant sexually molested her after enticing her and a 7-year-old friend inside his apartment promising popsicles. The incident happened during a block party at the apartment complex where they all lived.
The victim said the molestation happened after Vermeal allowed her into his room to jump on his bed. Her friend, who was inside the apartment at the time, said she witnessed the molestation. The 7-year-old has also charged Vermeal with sexual battery saying he fondled her; however, her case ended in a hung jury last year and will be retried later.
Vermeal was originally charged with child rape in reference to the older child, a crime that carries 15 to 25 years, but jurors chose to convicted him on the lesser count of sexual battery.