PALM COAST, FL – Jerome Malerba has been found guilty on all charges related to an arrest for stalking and soliciting sex from a juvenile.
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, following a brief deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous verdict, finding Jerome Malerba guilty on all counts. The charges include soliciting a child for unlawful sexual activity using computer services or devices, aggravated stalking of a victim under 16 years of age, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Each of these convictions is classified as third-degree felonies, with a maximum sentence of five years in prison, resulting in a possible total sentence of 15 years.
“In November 2022, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) was notified of inappropriate behavior occurring involving 46-year-old Jerome Malerba of Palm Coast and a juvenile victim. It was reported that Malerba had been contacting the victim for approximately two years. In July 2022, Malerba’s contact escalated into sending explicit messages and photos to the victim and aggressively demanding sexual favors,” police reported. “In messages observed by law enforcement, Malerba acknowledged that the victim was a juvenile while continuing to demand sexual favors. In one of the more concerning messages, Malerba threatened to hurt the victim if his requests were not met. The victim requested Malerba to cease contacting her multiple times, to which he would not comply.”
Jerome Malerba’s sentencing is scheduled for February 21, 2024, presided over by the Honorable Judge Perkins. In the meantime, he is currently in custody at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, awaiting his hearing.
Sheriff Rick Staly commended the efforts of the Major Case Unit and Digital Forensics teams in meticulously uncovering all evidence associated with this case.
“Our Major Case Unit and Digital Forensics teams did a phenomenal job tracking down every disgusting piece of evidence this sexual predator crafted in an effort to prey on a juvenile,” He stated, “Thanks to their dedicated work, along with the prosecution and the jury’s conviction, I hope he spends a long time in prison where he can’t prey on our children.”