DELAND — A Deltona man on trial accused of sexual battery and other sex crimes against two children described the acts to Volusia Sheriff’s Office detectives in a recorded interview in 2023.
But on June 16, Steven Cribb, 33, took the stand and testified that his statements to detectives were false. Cribb said he suffered from mental illness and claimed his head had been “cloudy” when he spoke to the detectives.
Cribb is on trial charged with two counts of sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age; two counts of lewd/lascivious molestation person 18 or older and a victim under 12; one count of conspiracy to commit sexual battery on a person less than 12 years of age; and one count of conspiracy to commit lewd/lascivious molestation by person 18 or older on a victim less than 12 years old.
Cribb’s wife, Laura Dietz, also faces charges in the case. But she was not on trial.
Both were arrested on Feb. 22, 2023, and have since been held at the Volusia County Branch Jail.
If convicted as charged, Cribb could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Circuit Judge A. Kathleen McNeilly is presiding over the trial at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.
Assistant State Attorneys Jeanne Stratis and Haley Mark are prosecuting Cribb.
Defense attorney Daniel Hernandez is representing him.
Deltona man claims 8-year-old girl started sexual activity
Volusia Sheriff’s Detective Amanda Cloutier took the stand June 16 and testified about her interview with Cribb. Jurors heard a recording of her and another detective questioning Cribb.
In the recording, Cribb told detectives that he first touched the 8-year-old girl in a nonsexual way. But later Cribb said that he had “played with her.”
Cribb said that the 8-year-old inappropriately touched him.
And Cribb went on to say that he inappropriately touched the girl in her private area.
He also admitted to inappropriately touching the girl’s younger sister.
He said he performed sexual acts with the 8-year-old and her younger sister multiple times.
When detectives asked him if he thought he should go to jail, he responded “probably.”
Deltona man’s wife says she participated in some of the abuse
Prosecutors then called his wife, Laura Dietz, 32, to the stand.
She testified wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and with her hands cuffed to a belt around her waist.
Dietz said she had not been promised anything for testifying and was doing it because it was the right thing to do.
She said when she learned of Cribb’s private part being in the girl’s mouth she told Cribb to stop.
But she said Cribb told her it was “normal” and happened more than people realized.
She testified further about the sex acts she said her husband committed on the two children.
Cribb’s defense attorney, Hernandez, questioned whether prosecutors had offered her any benefit for testifying against her husband.
Dietz maintained they had not. She said she was testifying because to amend for her wrongful acts.
Deltona man claims his head was ‘cloudy’ and denies sexually abusing children
Later Cribb took the stand and testified under questioning by Hernandez that his prior statements to detectives were false.
Hernandez read the charges to him and to each one Cribb said he was not guilty.
He said he suffered from bipolar disorder, ADHD and he also mentioned schizophrenia.
He said he was not on medication when he made his statements to detectives in 2023, but he is medicated now in jail.
He said the statements he made to police were false and he blamed a “cloudy” mind. He said voices in his head told him to say things.
During cross examination, Stratis repeated his statements, pointing out how specific his descriptions of the abuse were.
Cribb repeatedly responded that’s what was on the audio recording.
The jury is expected to begin deliberations June 17 after closing arguments.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Deltona man on trial accused of sexual abuse of 2 children
Reporting by Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Frank Fernandez, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
