BY DAN HILDEBRAN
A 52-year-old Bradford County man was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading to sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior.
Thomas Lee Mackey will also be designated as a sexual predator for molesting children over 100 times, according to a Bradford County Sheriff’s Office investigation.
But before leaving a Starke courtroom on February 5, the former West Coast resident stood before a judge while one of his victims described the pain he inflicted on her.
According to an arrest report, Mackey victimized multiple children while he lived in another state and continued abusing minors after moving to Bradford County.
His crimes came to light in June 2024 after one of his victims confided in a summer camp counselor.
Under Florida law, victims are entitled to address the court before sentencing.
One of the defendant’s victims read from a statement as she faced the 52-year-old.
The victim told Mackey that she did not plan to come forward with her story “until you were gone and buried.”
“I thought I could carry this weight in silence,” the victim added. “But then this thought of— who else might be hurt…That’s when I knew I had to say (something) to protect others from going through what I did.”
The woman told Mackey that he forced her to grow up when she was just a girl, and he stole her childhood.
“I felt guilt, shame, hopelessness, depression,” the young woman told Mackey. I have suffered sleepless nights because of the trauma you (caused). I’ve lived in fear.”
The victim told Mackey that he betrayed the trust she placed in him and that because of that betrayal, she sometimes questions the intentions of other people in her life.
“You took so much from me,” she added, “but today, I’m standing up for myself. I’m not just a victim of what you did. I’m someone who refuses to be silent any longer. I am a testament of hope for others. I’m encouraging people to talk because my wounds are starting to heal.”
The victim then told Mackey that his wounds could also be healed.
“But only if you’re willing to face what you’ve done to understand the damage you’ve caused and to acknowledge where it all began,” she said. “I hope you find peace and forgiveness. What you did will never be okay, but I forgive you.”
