Ex-South Florida lieutenant sentenced to life for molesting 2 girls when they were kids: ‘The abuse doesn’t go away’

An ex-South Florida lieutenant will spend the rest of his days behind bars after he was convicted of repeatedly molesting a pair of sisters when they were children.

Former Hialeah cop Braulio Gonzalez, 48, was sentenced Friday to life in prison, following his conviction in February — after a mere 15-minute deliberation by the jury — of armed kidnapping and lascivious molestation, the Miami Herald reports.

One of the two victims — now both in their 20s — reported the repeated molestation, which occurred when she was between 8 and 10, to her psychologist in 2018 and then to the Florida Department of Children & Families, according to the outlet. Her sister said she, too, was abused by Gonzalez.

Braulio Gonzalez, who was convicted of raping family members, sits in the courtroom during sentencing on Friday. (Jose A. Iglesias/)

Gonzalez was subsequently arrested. Though previously the subject of former lovers’ abuse allegations, Gonzalez was cleared of the accusations and remained on the force.

One of the young women victimized by Gonzalez previously to overdose using pills and remains in therapy, noting to the court Friday: “This is something I’ll have to live with the rest of my life.”

Her sister, now pursuing a degree in psychology with the goal of helping victims, said, “The abuse doesn’t go away. You don’t forget,” according to the outlet.