A Palm Beach County judge sentenced convicted sexual predator Santo Martinez Varela to 75 years in prison, State Attorney Alexcia Cox announces.

On June 5, a jury found Martinez Varela guilty of four counts of sexual battery on a 13-year-old victim, lewd or lascivious molestation, and false imprisonment. Following the verdict, the court declared Martinez Varela, 36, a sexual predator.

The evidence at trial established that Martinez Varela violently attacked the teenage victim, who was a stranger to him, along a bicycle trail near Greenacres on January 2, 2025.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes and ensures this dangerous sexual predator will be removed from our community,” State Attorney Cox said. “The victim demonstrated tremendous courage throughout this case, and our Special Victims Unit worked diligently to secure justice and protect our community.”