Tampa man sentenced Monday to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting and molesting 10-year-old girl. He also used bleach to douse her with bleach to try to destroy evidence.After a three-day trial, Lewis Matthews, 43 was found guilty of four felonies. Kimberly Fernandez, Judge, imposed a lifetime sentence for sexual battery of victims younger than 12 years old. An additional five years for tampering physical evidence was added. 25 years were given for each of the two felony charges for lewd or lascivious molestation of victims younger than 12.Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren stated in a statement that it was heartbreaking to watch a victim who has been sexually abused testify in court. I am proud of the work our prosecutors do to hold these criminals accountable, protect victims and send the predators away for good.Warrens office says that Warrens 10-year-old daughter told investigators and later a courtroom about the time she fell asleep in her living room while her mother was there.Matthews was reported to have woken the girl up at 3:00 a.m. April 13, 2019. He then undressed and molested her. Matthews' girlfriend heard a commotion downstairs and called 911. Prosecutors said she was shocked by the discovery and dialed 911 quickly.Matthews grabbed the little girl and the two other children in the home while she was on the phone and got them into the car. Matthews drove to a nearby gas station as his mother begged him not to.Matthews took the girl into the store and grabbed a Clorox bleach bottle from a shelf. He then took her to the bathroom. Matthews then ordered the girl to take off her clothes and douse her with bleach. Investigators still managed to find traces of Matthews DNA on Matthews's body and clothing. They also found traces on Matthews underwear that Matthews had made her throw away in a dumpster at the gas station.Matthews was found guilty by a jury of four felonies. During the sentencing hearing, few words were spoken. Neither the victim nor his family members, friends, or relatives, were able to speak for him.Warren stated that parents who sexually abuse their children in custody can make your blood boil. These cases are why we aggressively pursue them. These people should spend the rest of life in prison.
