Eric Newberg Civilly Committed as a Sexually Violent Predator

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Eric Newberg, 48, was civilly committed as a sexually violent predator following a jury trial. Newberg will now be committed to the Florida Civil Commitment Center for long-term care, control, and treatment.

The State filed a petition to declare Newberg as a Sexually Violent Predator after he completed a prison sentence for the crimes of Sexual Battery, and Lewd, Lascivious, or Indecent Act on a Child, in two separate cases. A jury heard of Newberg’s lengthy history of sexual offenses prior to his initial arrest and the State presented two mental health experts who determined he met the criteria to be committed. Sexually violent predators who have at least one conviction for a violent sex crime and a mental condition that makes them likely to reoffend are candidates for civil commitment.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Anna Hixon and Sheila Loizos.