Orlando police chief ’s brother gets 17-plus years in prison

Edward Mina, Orlando police Chief John Mina’s older brother, was sentenced to 17 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a child.

Edward Mina, 51, was arrested in May. He has been in the Orange County Jail since.

The girl told investigators with the Orange County Sheriff ’s Office that Edward Mina had abused her from ages 10 to 13, records show.

On Friday the girl’s grandmother cried as she told Circuit Judge Keith White that the girl is “left with a horrible scar.”

Edward Mina will have to register as a sex offender and will be on probation for the rest of his life after his release.

He did not make any statements in court. The girl was not present, but her family members filled one side of the courtroom.

“The plea negotiations were reached to avoid putting the victim through depositions or trial in this case,” Assistant State Attorney Jenny Rossman said.

As they investigated the case, Orange County detectives set up a monitored phone call between Edward Mina and the girl. With detectives listening, the girl told Edward Mina she had told a friend about the abuse, and that friend told a counselor.

“If you tell them the truth, I am going to go to jail for a long time,” Edward Mina said, according to his arrest affidavit. “If you don’t tell them the truth I will do anything.”