Sarasota Resident Receives 8 Life Sentences for Brutally Assaulting Several Women in One Night

Florida State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced that Cory Garries was convicted on September 8 in Sarasota County Circuit Court. He faced five counts of sexual battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of kidnapping with a weapon, burglary with assault or battery, and aggravated assault.

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Court documents reveal that in October 2022, Garries attacked and sexually assaulted two victims on the same night, just after serving a 17-year federal sentence for sexual abuse. Prosecutors stated that he committed a series of sexual assaults, kidnappings, and acts of violence while armed with a knife.

“The heinous acts of violence committed by the Defendant in this case upon the two Victims in this community are absolutely horrific. These two women suffered the worst sort of violence imaginable, and somehow found the strength to survive and escape,” remarked Assistant State Attorney Joshua Wertheim.

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“I commend them on how they were able to face their attacker both in the moment and at trial. The State Attorney’s Office will always stand up against evil and prosecute those who commit it. I agree with the Court’s sentence in this case and believe the Defendant deserves every day of his eight consecutive life sentences,” Wertheim added.

Immediately following the jury’s verdict, Judge Donna Padar sentenced Garries to eight consecutive life terms.

Key Information

• Convicted Individual: Cory Garries
• Convictions: Five counts of sexual battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of kidnapping with a weapon, burglary with assault or battery, and aggravated assault.
• Trial Date: September 8, 2023
• Incident Date: October 2022
• Prior Sentence: 17 years federal sentence for sexual abuse
• Sentence: Eight consecutive life terms
• Key Prosecutor: Assistant State Attorney Joshua Wertheim