A West Palm Beach man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the sexual battery of a neighbor, the State Attorney’s Office announces.

In December, a Palm Beach County jury found Rolando Palma Medina, 39, guilty of sexual battery (victim 18 years of age or older), and burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault or battery. Jurors rejected his defense that it was a consensual encounter.

On Friday, Circuit Judge Howard Coates sentenced Palma Medina to 15 years on the sexual battery count, and 20 years on the burglary conviction, with the terms to run concurrently.

Assistant State Attorneys Alexa Ruggiero and Nicole Corring tried the case and requested a life sentence.

The Special Victims Unit prosecutors argued it was clear that the defendant preyed on an innocent, vulnerable woman he knew would be alone in the safety of her home at the time of the attack. The defendant’s actions show that he made a calculated choice to violate a total stranger for his own sexual gratification.

The attack happened on Oct. 18, 2023. The victim, who worked at a night club, was home alone one morning when a masked intruder entered her home. The intruder was later identified as the defendant, her new neighbor and a total stranger.

When the defendant entered the victim’s home, he made clear his intention was to sexually batter her rather than steal items from the residence. He took his clothes off and tried taking hers off while she fought back. He eventually overpowered her. She fought back by throwing items, including a perfume bottle and broom, but was unable to stop his violent advances.

Countless times throughout the intrusion, Palma Medina threatened her life. He used a knife and a pair of scissors in doing so, even holding her in a chokehold at one point.

Jurors learned that he was linked to the crime through a shoe sole and a T-shirt, and DNA.

We thank the West Palm PD detectives who worked on this case.