Alachua County man sentenced to life after assault 

An Alachua County jury found Ian Gabriel Montero-Lopez guilty of sexual battery on a child 12-17 years old and sexual assault with the use of physical force.  

Montero-Lopez, 19, was sentenced to life in prison on the first count and a concurrent 30-year prison sentence on the second count.  

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to UF Shands Children’s Hospital on Dec. 24, 2021, for a sexual battery complaint. After examining forensic phone information, law enforcement arrested Montero-Lopez, who was also identified in a photo line-up.  

The investigation found Montero-Lopez also gave the victim narcotics before the assault.  

Montero-Lopez, who disappeared after the trial jury selection, is wanted on a bench warrant.