NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — The man charged in the death of Nassau County Deputy Eric Oliver received the maximum sentence Friday morning.
“This is one of the more tragic cases I have handled in the 13 years I’ve had the privilege of serving as judge,” Judge James Daniel said.
Francisco Portillo-Fuentes will spend another seven or so years behind bars. A Nassau County judge sentenced him to the maximum sentence of 12 years with credit for time served.
“Actions have consequences,” Judge Daniel said.
Portillo has already been serving time since he ran from federal officers in November 2016, causing Nassau County Deputy Eric Oliver to chase after him across State Road 200 in Yulee.
Deputy Oliver was hit and killed during the pursuit.
His father Douglas Oliver said the sentence is a relief.
“I’m just glad it’s over with. Now we can move on hopefully with our lives. I got other things I’m working on in reference to Eric,” Douglas Oliver said.
He also said being in the courtroom was emotional.
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The defense brought forth several letters speaking on Portillo’s behalf. Testimonies spoke to his good character, remorse, and attitude to be a better man.
The defense also read aloud a letter from Portillo to the Oliver family.
“Not one day passes by that I don’t carry this burden on my shoulders,” the letter read in part.
“We forgave him for what we did but he was still responsible for his actions down here,” Oliver said.
Oliver said he knows his son touched a lot of people and now that the case is over, he and his wife can live their lives in peace.
“We have a few years to go. We’d like to live it peacefully. This will hopefully help out,” Oliver said.
Portillo’s family declined to comment on the sentencing.
Portillo-Fuentes was in the country illegally at the time of Oliver’s death and had been deported twice before.
At the time of his death, Oliver left behind a 6-year-old daughter.