Palm Beach Gardens Man Sentenced to 127 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Exploitation

A Palm Beach Gardens man has been sentenced to 127 years in Florida state prison after being convicted on multiple charges of child sexual exploitation — a case that began when a Stuart mother discovered concerning messages on her child's phone and called police.

Phoenix Monserrate, 22 at the time of his arrest, was sentenced Wednesday following conviction on charges including 10 counts of possessing or viewing depictions of child sexual conduct and five counts of promoting sexual performances by a child, according to the Stuart Police Department.

The investigation began in late 2024 after the child's mother contacted Stuart police about messages she found on her child's phone. Detectives identified three men who allegedly provided or offered tobacco, alcohol, and other gifts to the juvenile in what investigators described as an effort to establish an inappropriate relationship.

Monserrate was arrested in December 2024 as part of a coordinated investigation involving Stuart police detectives and Homeland Security Investigations out of Fort Pierce. Two other men were also arrested in connection with the case: Robert Green of Fort Pierce, convicted of providing tobacco products including a vape device to the child; and Austin Lanyon, a Tampa firefighter at the time, who faced charges including transmitting harmful material to a minor, lewd solicitation of a child, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.

The Stuart Police Department and the State Attorney's Office were both credited with the prosecution.

"The Stuart Police Department remains committed to protecting children and holding those who prey upon them accountable," the department said in announcing the sentence.

Source: Stuart Police Department / CBS12