2 Life sentences in child sex case

Rene Elmer Rivas, 53, was found guilty last month of sexually battery and was given two life sentences Friday, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.

Rivas was sentenced for sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age, and lewd or lascivious molestation.

Prosecutor Frank Sullivan presented the case to jurors on June 28 and it took them less than an hour to find the defendant guilty.

At trial, Sullivan presented evidence and witnesses including the victim, the
Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center
proving that the victim was sexually assaulted by the defendant more than once in 2013-14.