State Attorney Dennis Ward announced that Stephen Salyer, 57, was sentenced to 22 years in Florida prison, followed by eight years of sex offender probation, for violating the terms of his post-release supervision.
Salyer was arrested in 2010 by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office following a detailed investigation into repeated sexual abuse of a juvenile under his legal guardianship. He was later convicted of lewd or lascivious battery by a person 18 years of age and older on a victim under 12 years old; sexual battery by a custodian on a victim under 12; and cruelty toward a child – impregnation of a child under 16 by a person over 21.
The victim, his biological niece, was 12 years old at the time of the abuse. A DNA analysis conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) confirmed Salyer as the biological father of the fetus.
Following his original prison term, Salyer was released in late 2023 under strict supervision and formally designated as a sexual predator — a classification he will carry for life. This status imposes extensive restrictions, lifetime registration, community notification and intensive monitoring requirements.
Salyer violated the terms of his probation in February 2025 by failing to comply with sex offender treatment. He was arrested for this violation and held in the Monroe County Detention Center.
On July 29, Circuit Judge James Morgan presided over a probation violation hearing. After reviewing testimony and evidence presented by the prosecution and the Florida Department of Corrections, the Court found that Salyer violated his probation in a willful and substantial manner; met the statutory criteria as a violent felony offender of special concern; and posed an ongoing danger to the community.
Judge Morgan revoked Salyer’s probation and imposed a new sentence of 22 years in state prison, followed by 8 years of sex offender probation.
Assistant State Attorney Trey Evans, who led the prosecution, presented a powerful and compelling case demonstrating that Salyer’s failure to comply with his court-ordered obligations and the severity of his past crimes warranted the enhanced sentence and continued monitoring under Florida law.
“This sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to protect children and vulnerable victims,” Ward said. “When an offender of this nature fails to follow the strict rules and conditions meant to protect the public, we will use every legal tool available to ensure they can no longer harm anyone.”
“Assistant State Attorney Trey Evans did an exceptional job in showing that this defendant’s actions met the highest threshold of danger under Florida law,” Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said. “Designating him as a danger to the community was necessary because sex offender treatment is mandated for both a defendant’s rehabilitation and to protect the community from further harm.”
The Monroe County State Attorney’s Office also commended the Florida Department of Corrections for its thorough investigation and testimony during the hearing, which played a crucial role in securing this outcome.
