Daytona Beach, FL - A jury took a bit more than two hours to come back with a guilty verdict for a man who worked for the Salvation Army to help people but instead coerced a woman to perform oral sex.
Gerard Pepin was a clincial supervisor and counselor in 2011 when the incident took place. The victim, 24 at the time, was court-ordered to the Salvation Army drug rehab facility.
Pepin found a sexual note written by the woman to a male client. The victim said that Pepin came to the facility on a Saturday, reminding her she could get in trouble for the note. She said she performed oral sex on Pepin while he video recorded the act.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza stated after the verdict, "This defendant used his position of power and authority to rape and demean our victim. His predatory acts deserve nothing less than the maximum sentence allowed by law. It is my sincere hope that the defendant will spend the rest of his life behind bars so he is not allowed to hurt anyone again."
Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano set sentencing for February 15.
