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Former Clay County deputy sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing 12-year-old girl

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — 50-year-old Paul Mauricio will be spending the next 25 years behind bars for sex crimes involving a 12-year-old girl.

As part of a plea deal, Mauricio, who was an eight-year veteran of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, pleaded guilty to four out of seven sexual assault charges.

A judge sentenced him to 25 years in prison for each charge, which will run concurrently.

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Sheriff Michelle Cook explained during a press conference back then, the girl came forward and told her mother about the ongoing abuse.

“She is a very brave young girl,” Cook told media outlets.

On Wednesday, the victim’s mother, who we’re not identifying to protect the victim’s identity, spoke on behalf of her daughter.

”It kills me to think of the agony she endured for so long,” she said. “My baby will have to live with the memories of what Paul Mauricio has done with her for the rest of her life. It cannot be undone.”

Read: Sheriff: Veteran Clay County deputy arrested after ‘brave’ girl comes forward about sexual abuse

Mauricio, who could be seen sobbing, later addressed the court himself.

”This is all my fault. 100 percent, all is my fault,” he said. “I gave into the worst human impulses. Words cannot express what I feel, now what I did, and for that I am sorry.”

After Mauricio serves his time in prison, he’s required to be registered as a sexual predator, and he’ll be on probation for life.

Mauricio is also required to pay for and attend psychosexual counseling, and unless he is given permission, he’s not allowed to be in contact with any child under 18 years old.

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