ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A former daycare employee who was found guilty of 16 child sex violations involving at least eight children under his care was sentenced on Friday to 70 years in a Florida State Prison followed by lifetime sex-offender probation.
Anthony Guadalupe, who worked as a teacher’s assistant at the Chappell School Longleaf campus on the northside of St. Johns County, had faced between 35 years to 103 years in prison.
Guadalupe spoke in court before he was sentenced and said he is not a monster.
“I was only 18 years old and just came out of high school and had no plans of growing up or having a solid career,” he said. “At the Chappell school, I loved my job. Getting to see these young kids learn and grow getting ready for VPK. Working there I was always showing them that I cared for them and always showing them affection but I didnt realize that it would be considered anything else. Looking at the video I understand how it could be considered something wrong but that was never my intention at all. I thought I was doing my job.”
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During his trial, the state prosecutor showed jurors a series of videos showing Guadalupe’s interactions with the children inside the Chappell School.
They claimed Guadalupe’s actions in the videos showed malicious sexual intent with the children at the daycare while his defense denied those claims.
Melissa Clark, the prosecutor for this case fired back after Guadalupe’s statements in court and questioned his intention and behavior toward the children he molested.
“You testified just now that you did your job as you had been taught to do, is that what I understand?” Clark said.
“By my assistant teacher, yes ma’am,” he responded.
“So the assistant teacher taught you to rub the genitals of a small child?” she countered.
“No, ma’am,” Guadalupe said.
Guadalupe faced 22 charges of lewd molestation and exhibition and jurors found him guilty on more than half of those charges:
- 12 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation on a person less than 12 years of age
- 1 count of attempted lewd and lascivious molestation
- 3 counts of committing unnatural or lascivious acts
“Chappell Schools hopes this sentencing finally brings some closure to all involved,” said Suzanne Beevers, CEO Chappell Schools.
Guadalupe was first arrested in 2022 when he was 18 years old.
In October, Guadalupe signed a guilty plea deal but withdrew that plea in January and opted to face trial.
Guadalupe will be 90 years old when he is released