TAMPA, Fla. – A man charged with sexually assaulting and killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford told police in 1991 that he molested a young family member, according to documents.
John Evander Couey said this after he was arrested for exposing himself to a 5-year-old neighbor in Kissimmee, according to material released Tuesday. Couey spent less than five years in prison after pleading guilty to attempting a lewd act upon a child.
"Couey admitted this was not the first child he had ever touched; however, this is the first time he was caught," the report states.
Also included is a letter Couey wrote to Judge Belvin Parry that said he "took Jesus as my personal savior" and vowed to reform.
"I know what I done was wrong and I know I will have to pay for it but I will be doing it with Jesus in my life and I will let the light shine in me," he wrote.
Investigators say Couey, 47, abducted Jessica on Feb. 23, carried her 150 yards to a mobile home he shared with the other adults, raped her and then buried her alive in the yard.
They say Couey confessed to the killing March 18, the day before the third-grader's body was found stuffed into trash bags. He has pleaded not guilty.
Trial is scheduled for July 10.
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