Notice the smirk on his face for his booking photo.
This is is the look that he put on his face when he got his picture taken today. This is the look of a man who thinks, well, you fill in the blank with what you believe he is thinking. This is the smirk of a convicted felon.
You can look it up on this site: https://webapps.hcso.tampa.fl.us/arrestinquiry/
Read the story below…
DEREK ZITKO CASE UPDATE: Lithia Man to Serve 8-Year Sentence at Florida State Prison in Raiford; Army CID Seeking Additional Victims
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Derek Zitko, 53, of Lithia, will serve his 8-year sentence at Florida State Prison in Raiford following his conviction on multiple counts of lewd and lascivious offenses against a minor.
Ongoing Federal Investigation: Army CID Seeking Additional Victims
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) believes there is more to this story and is actively looking for other victims. Investigators suspect that Zitko’s convicted offenses may not represent the full scope of his criminal conduct.
In an official statement, Army CID provided the following:
“The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division takes an interest in such cases involving current and former Soldiers who were on Active status at the time of the incidents, regardless of their current status. If you, or anyone you know, is aware of similar incidents, we are here to help.”
To Report Information:
- Contact the MacDill Resident Agency directly: (912) 547-4626
- Submit an online report: https://www.cid.army.mil/Submit-a-Tip/
Anonymous reporting options are available through the online tip submission system.
About Florida State Prison
Zitko will be housed at Florida State Prison (FSP), otherwise known as Raiford Prison, an American correctional institution located in unincorporated Bradford County, Florida, with a Raiford postal address. The facility is one of Florida’s most well-known state prisons, established as part of the state prison system that dates back to 1913.
Florida State Prison is one of the most significant adult detention centers in the region, located at 7819 Northwest 228th Street, Raiford, FL. The facility sits amid several other correctional institutions in the area.
Florida Sentencing Laws: No Early Release
Under Florida’s strict “Truth in Sentencing” laws, Zitko faces severe limitations on any early release. Florida statutes require that all individuals with offenses committed on or after October 1, 1995 serve a minimum of 85% of their sentence.
However, for sex offenders like Zitko, the restrictions are even more severe. A defendant sentenced under dangerous sexual felony offender provisions is not eligible for statutory gain-time or any form of discretionary early release, other than pardon or executive clemency, or conditional medical release, before serving the minimum sentence.
Offenders sentenced under sex offense provisions are not eligible for any form of discretionary early release, other than by pardon or conditional medical release, before serving the full minimum sentence.
Lifetime Consequences After Release
Upon completion of his sentence, Zitko will face severe, lifelong consequences under Florida law:
Lifetime Sexual Predator Registration
Upon release from prison, all convicted sex offenders are required to register for life in Florida, regardless of the severity of the offense. This not only means that one will appear on Florida’s sexual predator registry for life, but they must also register with the local authorities three or four times a year.
If the sexual predator has been released from incarceration, he or she is required to register in-person with the local sheriff’s department within 48 hours of establishing residency in the state.
Residency Restrictions
Sexual predators are prohibited from living within 1,000 feet of a playground, school, park, or childcare center. This restriction alone can make it very difficult for registered sexual predators to find affordable housing within a reasonable distance from their place of employment.
In cases where the victim was a minor, sex offenders cannot volunteer or work at any business, school, day care, park, playground, or other place where children regularly are present.
Extensive Reporting Requirements
Sexual predators must report any change in information including any change in permanent, temporary, or transient residence; name; electronic mail addresses; Internet identifiers and each Internet identifier’s corresponding website homepage or application software name; home telephone numbers and cellular telephone numbers; and employment information.
Local law enforcement is required to verify sex offender addresses regularly, with sheriffs’ offices conducting address verifications for sexual predators three or more times per year, and sexual offenders twice per year.
Failure to Comply
Failing to register as a sexual predator when required to do so is a felony.
Those who fail to register, provide incomplete or false information, or fail to meet any of the other legal requirements imposed upon them will be charged with a third-degree felony and may be sentenced to additional jail time and other penalties.
Help Get This Story Out
Do you have information about this case? Can you help get this story to national news outlets?
If you have tips, information about additional victims, or media connections that could help bring wider attention to this case, please:
- Leave a comment below, or
- Fill out the contact form on this website
Victims deserve justice, and the public deserves to know the full story.
Source: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Corrections, Florida Statutes, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division
