Cape Coral ex-nurse sentenced to 30 years in prison for raping patient

A Lee County judge has sentenced convicted rapist Jeovanni Hechavarria, an ex-nurse of Cape Coral Hospital, to 30 years in prison after he was found guilty of sexual battery for raping a hospital patient.

Hechavarria is accused of raping three patients but only faced a trial for one of those victims.

All three victims who accused Hechavarria of sex crimes against them were in court for his sentencing. The pain felt by them was visible in the courtroom, as they all spoke about the actions they say Hechavarria committed.

“Jeovanni was supposed to be there to help me better and take care of me as my registered nurse,” one of the accusing victims said in court. “Instead, he violated me, tortured me, and raped me and left me way more broken.”

Hechavarria’s wife asked the judge for a lighter sentence.

“On behalf of the family, we ask that you don’t make this a very long time,” Kenteesha Hechavarria said in court.

Hechavarria’s attorney says Hechavarria maintains his innocence in the crimes he has been found guilty of.

“I’m not a monster I’m a man with a family that deserves a chance,” Hechavarria said in court.

As part of his sentencing, Hechavarria will be a designated sexual predator. He will be required to pay costs of therapy for his victim, pay restitution and pay multiple other fees to general funds for victims of sex crimes.