Controversial sex-predator confinement upheld in Miami serial rapist case
Two years ago, a jury chose not to commit Miami-Dade serial rapist Juan F. Vega to indefinite locked-down confinement after he finished 25 years in prison.
Despite the jury’s verdict, a judge nevertheless shipped Vega off to a secure therapy center for sexual predators — a legal first that drew indignation from defense lawyers.
This week, a Miami-Dade appeals court upheld the decision of the judge, meaning Vega will remain at the Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia. And because the Third District Court of Appeal did not issue a written opinion, defense lawyers will have a tougher time appealing the ruling.
“We’re committing Mr. Vega despite the fact that a jury said, ‘Let him go,’ ” said his defense lawyer, Andrew Rier. “And to not issue a written opinion is an injustice.”
The decision of Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens was believed to be the first time in Florida that a court has sent a convicted sex predator into civil confinement over a jury’s verdict. The appeals court decision is bound to rekindle debate over the Florida law that allows sexual predators to be detained indefinitely after their prison terms.
