A former Miami-Dade County Public Schools psychologist has been sentenced to 30 years in state prison after a jury found him guilty on eight charges involving child sexual abuse material.
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Dr. Robert Lee Turner, 64, was convicted last month following a trial centered on videos investigators said they found on his cellphone.
Turner was arrested in August 2024 after authorities began investigating a cyber tip from Instagram. According to investigators, the social media company reported that child sexual abuse material had been uploaded through an account connected to Turner.
Police said they discovered multiple videos involving children between the ages of eight and 16 stored on Turner’s phone. Investigators also alleged that some of the material had remained on the device for more than two years.
Authorities further claimed they uncovered online conversations in which Turner described fantasies involving children.
Turner’s defense attorneys argued that he had been hacked and that his personal information had been stolen. They maintained that Turner was not responsible for the material found on his phone.
After approximately two hours of deliberation, the jury rejected the defense and found Turner guilty on all eight charges, including offenses involving the promotion and possession of a sexual performance by a child.
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PROSECUTION SOUGHT AT LEAST 25 YEARS
During sentencing, state attorney Steward Hedrick argued that Turner deserved a lengthy prison sentence, pointing to his former professional role working with vulnerable students.
“Defendant is a medical professional dealing with the most vulnerable. Students on the autism spectrum… that’s why the state is asking for at least 25 years,” Hedrick said.
Turner’s defense attorney, Anthony Eugenis, asked the judge for a substantially shorter sentence of 53 months in prison, followed by community control and probation.
“He has already had degrees taken away from him. His family taken away from him. Don’t take his life away from him,” Eugenis told the court.
Turner also addressed the judge and asked for leniency.
“I’ve had 65 years of good behavior,” Turner said.
JUDGE SENTENCES TURNER TO 30 YEARS
Judge Cristina Miranda sentenced Turner to 30 years in state prison, followed by 5 years of probation.
Turner will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The judge mentioned how Turner was the first line of defense for children who likely reported abuse to him and reminded him of the oath he took to protect children.
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