Lehigh Man Convicted In Human Trafficking, Sex & Drug Crimes

LEHIGH ACRES, FL. -- This afternoon, a Lee County jury convicted Jesus Francisco Santana Perez of two counts of Human Trafficking; three counts of Lewd Battery on a Child; one count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance; one count of Delivery of Drugs to a Minor; and one count of Delivery of Alcohol to a Minor, after a four-day trial in Lee County Circuit Court.

Santana Perez provided children in Lehigh Acres with illegal drugs and alcohol and then sexually exploited them over a six-month period in 2019. During the trial, the victims, their family members, and child trauma experts testified to the crimes committed. The State also presented documentary evidence sourced from social media to corroborate the allegations.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office worked tirelessly to investigate this case and assisted the State in obtaining these guilty verdicts.

Perez was remanded into the custody of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office without bond by Judge Mark Steinbeck. Sentencing is scheduled for May 17, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. in Court Room 5-C.

Special Victims Unit Chief Francine Donnorummo and Assistant State Attorney Lindsay Scott-Garza prosecuted the case.