Man Gets Life For Molesting Sisters

NEW PORT RICHEY – In Gary Sabino’s eyes, he did no wrong.

If he touched the three young sisters’ private parts, it was by accident while he bathed or played with them, he said on an audiotape during his trial in June. Or on one occasion, he said, his dog must have been sniffing around and one of the girls was confused about what happened.

The jury didn’t buy Sabino’s defense, delivering a verdict in 50 minutes after a four-day trial. He was convicted on two counts each of capital sexual battery and lewd and lascivious molestation on a child younger than 12.

“I think the whole case has been based on lies and deception,” Sabino told Pasco County Circuit Judge Joseph A. Bulone on Friday.

Bulone sentenced Sabino, 47, to two life and two 30-year prison sentences, served concurrently. He was declared a sexual predator.

“Life means life and he’s never going to get out,” Bulone reassured the girls’ family.

In June, the blond sisters, ages 6, 8 and 10, testified one by one that their father’s friend “Sparky” touched their “privates” when they stayed overnight at his Holiday home. Prosecutors say Sabino molested them on several occasions between October 2001 and January 2002.

Only the oldest child attended Friday’s sentencing and addressed the judge. Prosecutor Eva Vergos held the girl’s hand and walked her to the lectern.

“I would like to say he hurt me emotionally,” the child told Bulone. “I don’t want him to ever get out so he can hurt another little girl.”

Sabino is awaiting trial in another lewd and lascivious case, accused of molesting a 9- year-old girl whose uncle rented an apartment from him. A pretrial hearing is Sept. 29.

He was arrested on that charge in January 2003 but ran and was found living in Texas under an assumed name at Christ of the Hills Monastery, known to shelter pedophiles.

Assistant Public Defender Paul Firmani told Bulone on Friday that about the time of the incidents with the sisters, Sabino was under a lot of stress because he was separated from his wife. He sought solace from the church.

“And that’s why he went to the monastery,” Firmani said.

Bulone asked Sabino about information in his presentence investigation. According to the report, children’s toys and videos were found in his room at the monastery.

“The videos were given to me by one of the pilgrims that came there,” Sabino explained, adding he didn’t have cable television and needed something to watch.

He collected the toys for his daughter and grandchildren, Sabino said.

Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083.