Former Army Lieutenant Colonel Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of 13-Year-Old Girl

A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and former youth pastor pleaded guilty Tuesday to repeatedly sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl over a six-month period in 2013.

Derek Oliver Zitko, 53, entered the guilty plea November 18, 2025, in Hillsborough County Circuit Court to three counts of lewd or lascivious battery and one count of lewd or lascivious molestation. He faces eight years in prison with no possibility of early release.

The charges stem from sexual acts committed against a minor who was under his supervision as a trusted adult in multiple capacities.

The Charges

Prosecutors charged Zitko on August 20, 2024, with four second-degree felonies after the victim, now in her mid-20s, filed a police report more than a decade after the abuse occurred.

Court records indicate the abuse began around March 1, 2013, when the victim was just 13 years old, and continued for approximately six months.

Understanding the Criminal Charges

Under Florida law, the charges Zitko pleaded guilty to carry severe penalties:

Lewd or Lascivious Battery (Florida Statute 800.04(4)(a)) involves engaging in sexual activity with a child aged 12 to 15. Under Florida law, “sexual activity” is defined as oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by or union with the sexual organ of another person, or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any object. This is a second-degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison per count. Zitko faced three counts of this charge, indicating multiple incidents of sexual penetration.

Lewd or Lascivious Molestation (Florida Statute 800.04(5)(b)) involves intentionally touching the breasts, genitals, genital area, buttocks, or clothing covering those areas of a child aged 12 to 15 in a lewd or lascivious manner. When the offender is 18 or older, this is also a second-degree felony carrying a maximum of 15 years per count.

These statutes exist because children cannot legally consent to sexual contact with adults. The law recognizes that any sexual activity between an adult and a minor constitutes abuse, regardless of circumstances.

The Critical Age Factor

The victim’s age at the time of abuse was a crucial legal distinction. Because she was 13 years old, Zitko was charged under statutes covering victims aged 12 to 15.

However, if the victim had been just a few months younger—under the age of 12—Zitko would have faced first-degree felony charges under Florida Statute 800.04(2), which carries a mandatory life sentence for lewd or lascivious battery on a victim under 12.

With four felony counts, Zitko faced a potential maximum sentence of 60 years in prison (15 years per count × 4 counts). The plea agreement resulted in an 8-year sentence, which he must serve in full.

Abuse of Power and Position

At the time of the offenses, Zitko held multiple positions of authority that gave him direct, unsupervised access to children:

• Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army
• Youth pastor at a local church
• Licensed foster parent
• Youth soccer coach in the FishHawk community

Zitko used these trusted roles to gain access to his victim, exploiting the power dynamic between an adult authority figure and a vulnerable adolescent girl.

The Evidence That Sealed His Fate

Working with law enforcement, the victim recorded a confession from Zitko in which he admitted to everything she accused him of. In the recording, Zitko acknowledged the sexual abuse he had committed against her when she was 13 years old.

This recorded confession was filed with the court on the morning of his guilty plea and became part of the permanent record as defendant’s evidence. The confession, combined with the victim’s detailed testimony, created an overwhelming case against Zitko.

Faced with his own recorded admissions and the prospect of going to trial, Zitko had limited options: accept the plea agreement for 8 years, enter an open plea and hope for judicial mercy, or go to trial and risk conviction on all four counts with a potential sentence of up to 60 years in prison.

He chose the plea agreement. Court records show he completed fingerprint and biometric processing as a convicted felon the same day he entered his guilty plea.

Mandatory Sentencing and Consequences

Judge Wesley D. Tibbals will formally sentence Zitko on January 14, 2026. Under Florida’s strict sentencing laws for sex crimes against minors, Zitko must serve 100% of his eight-year prison sentence—no gain time, no good behavior credits, no early release.

Upon release, he will serve seven years of probation under strict supervision and must register as a sexual predator for life under Florida Statute 775.21. This designation imposes severe restrictions:

Registration Requirements:

• Quarterly in-person registration with the sheriff’s office (every three months for life)
• Must report any address changes within 48 hours
• Must update driver’s license or identification card to reflect sexual predator status
• Public disclosure of name, photograph, and address on Florida’s online sex offender registry

Residency Restrictions:

• Cannot live within 1,000 feet of any school, child care facility, park, or playground where children gather

Employment Restrictions:

• Cannot work or volunteer at any location where children are regularly present, including schools, daycares, parks, or youth programs

Additional Monitoring:

• May be subject to GPS monitoring if ordered by the court as a condition of probation
• Must provide 21 days advance notice for any international travel

These restrictions are permanent and enforceable for the remainder of his life.

The Victim’s Courage

The victim carried the trauma of this abuse for more than 12 years before finding the courage to report it in 2024. Her willingness to come forward, work with law enforcement to obtain a confession, and prepare to testify led directly to Zitko’s guilty plea and conviction.

Potential Additional Victims

Given Zitko’s decades-long involvement with youth organizations, foster care, and church groups, authorities have not ruled out additional victims. He had regular, unsupervised contact with vulnerable children and adolescents throughout his time in these roles.

Law enforcement is asking anyone with information related to this case to come forward. Reports can be made to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Survivors can also contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for confidential support.

Case Information

Case Number: 24-CF-013397-A
Presiding Judge: Wesley D. Tibbals, Division E
Hillsborough County Circuit Court
Guilty Plea Entered: November 18, 2025
Sentencing Date: January 14, 2026