Man convicted of sex with 9-year-old girl given suspended sentence; will not serve time

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Edwin Lanza, the 24-year-old Belize City resident accused of having sex with a 9-year-old girl twice, was given a three-year suspended sentence in the Supreme Court today, meaning he will not spend any time in jail for this crime although he’s currently in jail for another offense.

Lanza, who was 17 when he committed the first offense, and 18 when he committed the second, pleaded guilty to both charges before Justice Ricardo O’Neil Sandcroft. Lanza is already serving a sentence at the Belize Central Prison, with his earliest release date being February 1, 2025, and his suspended sentence will commence once he is released.

Upon release, Lanza must immediately seek counseling from the Department of Youth Services, and cannot be arrested for any offense during the three years.

Justice Sandcroft told Lanza at his sentencing, that children hold a special place, and it must be taken into consideration that he was still regarded as a child when the first offense occurred.

The incidents reportedly happened between September 1-30, 2015, and again between January 1-16, 2017.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2022, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.