ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida’s “Malibu Rapist” took a plea deal on Wednesday after he was found guilty of charges stemming from a 1988 cold case, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
The Malibu Rapist — whose real name is George Girtman — got his nickname after a string of sexual batteries in the 1980s and 1990s in the Malibu Homes subdivision in Orlando.
While he is already serving two life sentences for previous convictions, Girtman’s plea deal on Wednesday stemmed from a case in 1988 where he sexually battered a woman — identified as Gail Gardner — in her home, prosecutors announced.
While Gardner had pushed for decades to have Girtman held accountable for the crime, it wasn’t until 2021 that the Orlando Police Department tested DNA collected during her investigation, a release from the SAO states.
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As a result, Gardner’s rape kit — along with other cold case rape kits and DNA evidence — linked Girtman to the assaults.
According to investigators, the breakthrough allowed for charges to be filed on behalf of Girtman’s seven victims, with Wednesday’s plea deal being related to Gardner’s attack.
“The bravery and fearlessness of all the survivors, and in particular Ms. Gardner, have brought us to this day. Ms. Gardner stood up for herself and for all survivors of sexual assault,” Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain said. “Today’s resolution is a reminder that justice, though sometimes delayed, is never out of reach. Our office is committed to continuing to stand up for victims, ensuring their voices are heard and to never stop fighting for justice.”
Girtman was sentenced to over three years in prison with credit for time served, the release says.
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