Winter Haven, Florida: On Monday, August 22, the second of two perpetrators arrested during Operation Guardians of Innocence VII, an undercover child pornography investigation that took place in 2021, was sentenced by Judge Catherine Combee.
Before being sentenced 30-year-old David Lavin Jr. plead no contest to 21 counts of possession of child pornography, four counts of sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12, one count of lewd molestation, and one count of promoting sexual performance by a child.
Judge Combee sentenced Lavin to 27 life sentences in the Florida state prison system. His sentences will run consecutively.
Earlier this year, in May, 33-year-old Harrison Egbert plead no contest to two counts of sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12, and two counts of lewd molestation by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12.
Judge Combee sentenced Egbert to four life sentences, to be served consecutively.
Both Lavin and Egbert have been designated as sexual predators.
Following the sentencing of Lavin, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, "Through the years we have dealt with some truly despicable men who commit some of the most heinous crimes against children you can imagine, but these two are the worst of the worst. We appreciate the hard work of our detectives and the successful prosecution by State Attorney Brian Haas' Office. Lavin and Egbert will be locked up for the rest of their lives, where they can't hurt the most innocent of victims- our children."