State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden announces that on October 20, 2021, Dean Bruno Lainhart was convicted by a jury in Santa Rosa County, Florida, of two counts of Capital Sexual Battery Upon a Person less than 12 years of age, defendant over 18 years of age; Sexual Battery While in a Position of Familial or Custodial Authority; Lewd and Lascivious Molestation upon a Person Under 12 years of age; and Lewd and Lascivious Molestation Upon a Person Older than 12 years of age, but less than 16 years of age.
Lainhart’s Santa Rosa Jail record shows he was 57 years old and resided at 7522 Deck Street in Milton when he was booked on September 18, 2019.
Between 2008 and 2013, the Defendant was the live-in boyfriend of the victim’s mother. During that time, the Defendant, a parental figure to the victim, began sexually assaulting the victim while her mother was working overnight. The victim did not report the sexual abuse to law enforcement until she was an adult.
The Defendant is subject to a mandatory life sentence for each count of Capital Sexual Battery. He is scheduled for sentencing on November 18, 2021, in front of Circuit Court Judge Darlene Dickey.
Consistent with the position of The Office of the State Attorney, prosecuting attorney, Jennifer Rogers stated, “It is important that all victims of sexual abuse have the ability to see the justice system work, even when there may be a delay in disclosure.”
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Rogers prosecuted the case. For further information, please contact Ms. Rogers at 850-981-5500.
